To go to the beginning, I am grateful to James Ramsey, now deceased, who I believe was the first to endeavour to save People’s Park. He in turn approached the Steed brothers to ask if they had land that could be used for a hospital, thus retaining People’s Park for the people.

Not only did they (Steed bros) offer land, but offered it free of charge, for which they were unjustly villified by those who thought they knew the facts but obviously did not. I hope one day that they will be publicly vindicated.

Thank you to Barry Pamplin (solicitor) who when we were under threat of High Court action from WSH authority saved the day, thus allowing us to go forward.

Thank you to the dozen people brave enough and willing enough to form a committee after councillor Albert Pearce decamped to Australia leaving the application that he had started unsupported in any way, two of these dozen being councillors from the north/south ward.

Thank you to Lord Andrew Phillips through whom we obtained our most excellent barrister, Tom Cross, and to two retired solicitors.

And an absolutely huge thank you to Helen Korfanty of Bates Wells and Braithwaite, who amazed us all with the staggering amount of complicated work in the time of two weeks.

Thank you to Bates Wells and Braithwaite for the arrangement under which the work was undertaken. We are indebted to them.

To Peter Blackwell, now deceased, for all the historic evidence that, unfortunately, we were not allowed to use. How he would have loved this fight.

And lastly to all those brave enough to come forward and give evidence, and for their pains were accused of falsifying their evidence. To what depths will the opposition sink?

If I have missed you from the list please accept my apologies and thanks.

One thing which I and many others find difficult to understand though – why a Sudbury common lands trustee should give evidence on behalf of WSH authority. Surely, in that capacity, all should be done to defend our green land.

Jill Fisher

People’s Park Preservation

Association (Sudbury)