THE FRIENDS of the Maypole Group has submitted its bid for the much-loved land in Bewdley which it is trying to safeguard for future generations.
We reported on last week’s front page that Maypole Piece in Wribbenhall was up for sale and there were fears it could be developed for housing.
The group was in a race against time to raise as much money as possible to put a bid in for the land before the deadline.
Over the weekend, there was a flurry of activity with numerous pledges coming in and the group’s available funds were at just over £129,000 when the bid was submitted on Tuesday morning. It has since risen to £131,000.
The Friends of the Maypole group wants to buy the land and place it in public trust ownership so it can be enjoyed by generations of people in Wribbenhall, Bewdley and the wider area for many years to come.
There is no named designated as to how long the process will take.
Committee member Denise Eaton told the Standard: “The bid has gone in now and it is a waiting game to see if we have been successful.
“We want to say a big thank you to all the community for their support in trying to secure Maypole Piece.”
Plenty of support
A drop-in session at the Wribbenhall Parish Rooms on Saturday for the less tech savvy and those with no Internet access was also well attended.
A representative from the group gave a three-minute presentation to Bewdley Town Council at a meeting on Monday to inform councillors about its plans to buy the land for the community.
And over the weekend, lead singer of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, formally supported the Friends group’s campaign.
He said: “I fully support the mission for The Maypole to remain a green space for the local people and beyond, now and for the future.”
The group said: “We are so thankful for Robert’s support, just as we are thankful to every single one of our supporters.
“Together we can do this.”
People of all ages have fond memories of the area – from the bonfire to celebrate the end of the Second World War and Major Webb riding his horse there on a Sunday to fetes and football matches on the hill. It also provides habitats for a wealth of local wildlife.
As well as donations, Friends of the Maypole need help in other ways – from people experienced in land purchasing to the community spreading word of the campaign in a bid to get as many people as possible to get involved and support the cause.
Anyone wanting to find out more about the campaign can visit: friendsofthemaypole.co.uk or go to the ‘Friends of the Maypole’ Facebook page.
