Visiting classic ‘Forster Country
Barbara Follett paid a visit to the childhood home of world famous novelist, E.M. Forster, in Stevenage on Saturday 7th June. There she met with the group of dedicated local people who have been campaigning for the past twenty years for an official Forster Country Park in this green and very pleasant part of England.
Born in 1879, Forster spent several happy years of his childhood at Rooks Nest House on Weston Road, at the north end of Stevenage Old Town. The house overlooks some of the most beautiful countryside in Hertfordshire and features in one of his best-loved novels, Howards End. This area, known locally as Forster Country, now falls under the jurisdiction of Stevenage Borough Council and North Hertfordshire District Council. Both are working with the Friends of Forster Country to help them realize their dream.
Ms Follett, who is a long-time supporter of the Friends of the Forster Country said: “This is a great example of how a small group of determined people with a vision can work together and make a real difference to the future of their community. I know that we still have a way to go yet, but there is now a very real possibility that the plan that the Friends and their retiring Joint Chairs, Margaret Ashby and John Hepworth, hatched so many years ago will become a reality. If it does, Stevenage will owe them a huge debt of gratitude."
The Forster Country Park proposal forms part of the Stevenage North Herts Area Action Plan (SNAP), which contains planning policies to direct the future growth of Stevenage to the north and west. There will be a public consultation on the boundaries of the park in autumn 2008. Further details will be announced closer to the consultation launch in the local media and on the Stevenage Borough Council website: http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/planningandregeneration.
To contact or join the Friends of the Forster Country please visit their website: http://www.forstercountry.org.uk/index.php. Annual membership runs from 1st April to 31st March. Family membership and Individual membership are available.
Issued: 09.06.2008
Further information
Please contact Anthony Miller via the 'Contact' page, or by fax on 020 7219 1158.
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