Jewel in the crown – or a waste of space?

IS it the jewel in Frodsham’s crown? Or is it a waste of space? The matter was the subject of some debate at a meeting of Frodsham Town Council – and the topic was … Hob Hey Wood.
Which, according to some, should be pronounced “Hobby Wood.” Some councillors believe it to be one of Frodsham’s treasured amenities.
Some do not. Others are not even quite sure where it is – and some others believe that most people in Frodsham don’t know where it is. The Mayor, Cllr Allen Wales, confessed that in 15 years living in Frodsham, he had never been there. But, he said, he would rectify this immediately, by going there on his next day off. He did just that and commented: “ It’s a lovely little wooded area, very quiet, well worth a walk through.” And he promptly emailed “Frodsham Life” a series of pictures he took during his walk – some of which we reproduce here.
Cllr Graham Bondi said he would like to see a lot more people using Hob Hey Wood. He believed that in years to come, people would say the Town Council had saved it from being despoiled by motor cyclists and paint ball operators. “I would like residents who value Hob Hey Wood to stand up and be counted,” he added. But Cllr Frank Pennington said the council, which had owned three quarters of the wood for many years, had bought more of it with £22,000 of public money without having it valued, for the benefit of just 17 dog walkers.
All they had done with it was plant 12 plum trees. “It is not beneficial to the people of Frodsham – most of who don’t even know where it is.” Cllr Ruth Redhead said the wood was used by people from outside the area as well as Frodsham people. Her daughter had taken friends to see it Chairman Cllr Mark Warren said the council had carried out a very methodical process of planting and management of the wood. He believed it was much more than a place for dog walkers. Cllr Andrew Dawson said members of his family used the wood on an almost daily basis. So what is Hob Hey Wood? It covers some eight acres and lies between Townfield Lane and Dingle Farm, Bradley.
There is a charitable group, “Friends of Hob Hey Wood” which exists to “preserve and conserve, for the quiet and peaceful benefit of the public, the natural woodland area of Hob Hey Wood.” It regularly features in Frodsham’s annual Festival of Walks – and is on the Frodsham Pond Trail. Last year, local scouts planted apple trees donated by Frodsham Transition Initiative, to establish a community orchard by the wood.
Pictures of the wood – featuring its wild garlic – have appeared in county magazines as far away as Sussex and Dorset and also on photo-sharing websites. Four years ago the Town Council produced a leaflet showing local beauty spots – which included Hob Hey Wood. How do you find it? Follow the footpath from Townfield Lane beside the allotments or alternatively go via Ellis Lane or Bradley Lane.