Woodgate Valley Country Park

The Country Park was set up in 1984, having previously been rural land with smallholdings and larger farms. The farms were in the ownership of Birmingham Corporation by 1953 but public access was not allowed in order to protect crops and livestock. Paul Cadbury mooted the idea of opening up the valley by providing marked trails for walkers, tracks for horseriding and stabling for horses, picnic sites and car parking. He also proposed damming a section of the Bourn Brook for fishing and allowing children freedom to paddle in the shallows. The city council's Parks Committee viewed the proposal favourably but said there was a problem financing the necessary fencing. In response chocolate firm…