History of MyPAG
When the quarry was closed in the 1970s the site was planted with conifers - the records mention 28,000 Corsican pine trees. (There is more about this on the 'History of the site' page.) McAlpines who owned it were taken over by Carillion, and for many years the area was left to itself. News that the land was available to purchase came in 2006. Following a public meeting at Gresford Memorial Hall, a committee was set up, and by December 2007 funds had been raised from Mersey Waste Holdings to purchase the land. Third party funding was provided by Gresford Community Council and there was additional financial support from IMAGE. Funding to develop a feasibility study was provided through Northern Marches Cymru.
There were long delays in the legalities of transferring ownership of the land from the vendors. The land had originally been purchased for quarrying in small parcels, and transfer of ownership of each parcel (about 40 of them) had to be individually recorded with the Land Registry. This was a very slow process! Finally, at the end of March 2011, legalities were completed, £70,000 changed hands and the Board of the Maes y Pant Action Group Ltd became the owners of the site. The articles of memorandum for the new company state that its aims are ‘to improve conditions of life…for the public at large’ and ‘for the conservation, protection and improvement of the environment…by encouraging biodiversity’.
In keeping with this, the Board began to move ahead with plans to improve the pathways, introduce signage and site benches. Improving the environment means removing the conifers, because they create a poor environment for wildlife - they grow so dense that nothing else gets light or water - but this needs to be done gradually so that the soil isn’t eroded. Three partial fellings have taken place, and some of the glades created have been planted with saplings, others have been left to grow self-seeded plants and wildflowers.
The travel restrictions imposed during the Covid Pandemic meant that the site became increasingly popular with local people, and it is now a very valued community resource.
There were long delays in the legalities of transferring ownership of the land from the vendors. The land had originally been purchased for quarrying in small parcels, and transfer of ownership of each parcel (about 40 of them) had to be individually recorded with the Land Registry. This was a very slow process! Finally, at the end of March 2011, legalities were completed, £70,000 changed hands and the Board of the Maes y Pant Action Group Ltd became the owners of the site. The articles of memorandum for the new company state that its aims are ‘to improve conditions of life…for the public at large’ and ‘for the conservation, protection and improvement of the environment…by encouraging biodiversity’.
In keeping with this, the Board began to move ahead with plans to improve the pathways, introduce signage and site benches. Improving the environment means removing the conifers, because they create a poor environment for wildlife - they grow so dense that nothing else gets light or water - but this needs to be done gradually so that the soil isn’t eroded. Three partial fellings have taken place, and some of the glades created have been planted with saplings, others have been left to grow self-seeded plants and wildflowers.
The travel restrictions imposed during the Covid Pandemic meant that the site became increasingly popular with local people, and it is now a very valued community resource.
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Key Events - Time Line
2024
January - Notice board repair following storm Debi last year
February - Storm Isha caused us to lose some mature trees, some of which were turned into a seating area
June - £300 donation from the Gresford Craft and Quilting Festival was gratefully received
July - We had a visit from Alan Sumnall from Butterfly Conservation who led a walk around the site and is hopeful that we can foster a colony of Grizzled Skipper
We formalised the support we’ve had from Treehogs over several years, in the form of a new banner for the gate
August - Our entry of ‘Wol’ from Winnie the Pooh for the scarecrow trail was well received
January - Notice board repair following storm Debi last year
February - Storm Isha caused us to lose some mature trees, some of which were turned into a seating area
June - £300 donation from the Gresford Craft and Quilting Festival was gratefully received
July - We had a visit from Alan Sumnall from Butterfly Conservation who led a walk around the site and is hopeful that we can foster a colony of Grizzled Skipper
We formalised the support we’ve had from Treehogs over several years, in the form of a new banner for the gate
August - Our entry of ‘Wol’ from Winnie the Pooh for the scarecrow trail was well received
2023
February - Our third major tree felling project began, allowing light and rain into the woodland
April - We were able to hold a ‘Friends meeting’ for the first time for several years
120 saplings planted (a gift from the allotments group)
May - We gained planning permission to raise a flagpole on volunteer days and special events
‘Maes y Pant’ branded clothing was launched
August - We built Mr Tod the Badger as our entry for the scarecrow competition!
October - We said Many Thanks for his huge contribution to
Trevor Britton as he retired as a trustee
November - 2 oak saplings planted as memorial trees for
John Troth & John Leece Jones respectively.
February - Our third major tree felling project began, allowing light and rain into the woodland
April - We were able to hold a ‘Friends meeting’ for the first time for several years
120 saplings planted (a gift from the allotments group)
May - We gained planning permission to raise a flagpole on volunteer days and special events
‘Maes y Pant’ branded clothing was launched
August - We built Mr Tod the Badger as our entry for the scarecrow competition!
October - We said Many Thanks for his huge contribution to
Trevor Britton as he retired as a trustee
November - 2 oak saplings planted as memorial trees for
John Troth & John Leece Jones respectively.
2022
March - Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin did some damage, but major problems averted
Our ‘Easyfundraising’ account was launched
April - We were grateful for a £500 donation from Brother UK
May - New Play area building!
June - ‘Grand opening’ of play area and delayed 10th anniversary celebration
2nd pond filling by Hafren Dyfrdwy
We were saddened when a carelessly lit camp fire spread and fire destroyed
small parts of the woodland
July - The path to the meadow was resurfaced and extended, to improve access
August - ‘Treebeard’, our entry for the village scarecrow trail, proved very popular
September our heritage apple trees gave us a bumper harvest
October - £100 donation from Darland Community Theatre gratefully received.
March - Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin did some damage, but major problems averted
Our ‘Easyfundraising’ account was launched
April - We were grateful for a £500 donation from Brother UK
May - New Play area building!
June - ‘Grand opening’ of play area and delayed 10th anniversary celebration
2nd pond filling by Hafren Dyfrdwy
We were saddened when a carelessly lit camp fire spread and fire destroyed
small parts of the woodland
July - The path to the meadow was resurfaced and extended, to improve access
August - ‘Treebeard’, our entry for the village scarecrow trail, proved very popular
September our heritage apple trees gave us a bumper harvest
October - £100 donation from Darland Community Theatre gratefully received.
2021
January - New 5 Year management plan approved by the Trustees
February - New temporary fence at Quarry Brow and
New signs to show paths and cycle routes
February/March - Vandalism and rotting wood meant we had to dismantle the playground
May - 10th Anniversary celebrations had to wait - but we got a banner for the gate!
‘Benjamin’s step’ put in at the viewpoint and diorama repaired
June - First monthly ‘Friends’ newsletter introduced
'Gofundme’ appeal for new playground launched
First Volunteers session back in over a year
July - Actors by the Alyn performance on the cleared playground site
With ‘walk from home’ regulations and lockdowns dominating the summer, the woodland became a hugely important local resource for the local community
September - We hosted a visit from Llais y Goedwig, and received lots of compliments
October - First re-filling of the pond by Hafren Dyfrdwy
Second grant application accepted - new playground is GO!
November - Storm Arwen felled 18 trees in 24 hours
December - Our 2022 ‘Celebrating 10 years’ Calendar raised over £200.
January - New 5 Year management plan approved by the Trustees
February - New temporary fence at Quarry Brow and
New signs to show paths and cycle routes
February/March - Vandalism and rotting wood meant we had to dismantle the playground
May - 10th Anniversary celebrations had to wait - but we got a banner for the gate!
‘Benjamin’s step’ put in at the viewpoint and diorama repaired
June - First monthly ‘Friends’ newsletter introduced
'Gofundme’ appeal for new playground launched
First Volunteers session back in over a year
July - Actors by the Alyn performance on the cleared playground site
With ‘walk from home’ regulations and lockdowns dominating the summer, the woodland became a hugely important local resource for the local community
September - We hosted a visit from Llais y Goedwig, and received lots of compliments
October - First re-filling of the pond by Hafren Dyfrdwy
Second grant application accepted - new playground is GO!
November - Storm Arwen felled 18 trees in 24 hours
December - Our 2022 ‘Celebrating 10 years’ Calendar raised over £200.
2020
March - Beginning of the first Covid 19 pandemic ‘lockdown’
Site maintenance etc affected
May - Upgrade of path leading to meadow
September - Creation of 'pump track' and cycling paths
October - Trevor and Sue stood down, Dr Ian Happs took over as Chair
New five year plan (the third) adopted
November - New bench installed at the carpark entrance
December - Geologist visit looking at deterioration of the slope at Quarry Brow.
March - Beginning of the first Covid 19 pandemic ‘lockdown’
Site maintenance etc affected
May - Upgrade of path leading to meadow
September - Creation of 'pump track' and cycling paths
October - Trevor and Sue stood down, Dr Ian Happs took over as Chair
New five year plan (the third) adopted
November - New bench installed at the carpark entrance
December - Geologist visit looking at deterioration of the slope at Quarry Brow.
2019
February - Oak tree planted, a gift from Manchester Airport celebrating 50 years
New sign installed at the entrance
All abilities trail upgraded with finer surface
November - Photos for 2020 calendar competition
'Trees for Kids' planting event.
February - Oak tree planted, a gift from Manchester Airport celebrating 50 years
New sign installed at the entrance
All abilities trail upgraded with finer surface
November - Photos for 2020 calendar competition
'Trees for Kids' planting event.
2018
June - Love spoon carving
Car park improvement work
‘Dog on lead’ area designated
Autumn - Second storage container erected
Engagement work with local schools.
June - Love spoon carving
Car park improvement work
‘Dog on lead’ area designated
Autumn - Second storage container erected
Engagement work with local schools.
2017
February - Second phase of the Tree felling programme
April - 1st Marford Guides held a Community Bear Hunt
April - Hog roast to thank volunteers
Children's play area created.
February - Second phase of the Tree felling programme
April - 1st Marford Guides held a Community Bear Hunt
April - Hog roast to thank volunteers
Children's play area created.
2016
Confirmation that we had been awarded 'Green Flag' status
Woodland trail installed - designs by Edward Fleming (Leader/Airbus 75th Anniversary comp)
April - 2nd 5 year plan adopted, and 2nd tree felling programme begun
felled trees removed by horse logging
May - Gwyddion installed
August - We achieved charitable status.
Confirmation that we had been awarded 'Green Flag' status
Woodland trail installed - designs by Edward Fleming (Leader/Airbus 75th Anniversary comp)
April - 2nd 5 year plan adopted, and 2nd tree felling programme begun
felled trees removed by horse logging
May - Gwyddion installed
August - We achieved charitable status.
2015
Woodland gym extended, Actif Woods ‘seniors’ classes begin
'Community Transformation Award' from Tidy Wales
May - First Coffee morning and Plant Sale
£500 award from ‘Wrexham Leader/Airbus 75’ competition led to -
MyPag Artwork Design competition
Brownies, Guides and Badgers involved in wildflower seed sowing
August - Charitable status confirmed.
Woodland gym extended, Actif Woods ‘seniors’ classes begin
'Community Transformation Award' from Tidy Wales
May - First Coffee morning and Plant Sale
£500 award from ‘Wrexham Leader/Airbus 75’ competition led to -
MyPag Artwork Design competition
Brownies, Guides and Badgers involved in wildflower seed sowing
August - Charitable status confirmed.
2014
January - Information leaflets distributed to every house in Gresford and Marford
Wildflowers and fruit trees (gift from NW Wildlife Trust) planted
April 1st - First meeting of the Friends of MyPag
Easter - Carpark entrance work (a legal requirement), funded by the Community Council
May - Woodland gym installed (grants from MBNA and Welsh Govt)
September - Pond installed (grants from Lloyds Bank Community Fund).
January - Information leaflets distributed to every house in Gresford and Marford
Wildflowers and fruit trees (gift from NW Wildlife Trust) planted
April 1st - First meeting of the Friends of MyPag
Easter - Carpark entrance work (a legal requirement), funded by the Community Council
May - Woodland gym installed (grants from MBNA and Welsh Govt)
September - Pond installed (grants from Lloyds Bank Community Fund).
2013
Entrances improved and formalised
Volunteer days introduced
First benches
Car park landscaping
November - Footpath way markers put in
Viewpoint plaque installed.
Entrances improved and formalised
Volunteer days introduced
First benches
Car park landscaping
November - Footpath way markers put in
Viewpoint plaque installed.
2012
Autumn - Footpaths installed
First tree felling
November 21st - BBC's 'One Show' broadcast from the site - new trees planted.
Autumn - Footpaths installed
First tree felling
November 21st - BBC's 'One Show' broadcast from the site - new trees planted.
Funding Acknowledgements
Maes y Pant would not exist without the generosity of many people, both individuals and and organisations. As well as those mentioned in the list above, we wish to acknowledge and thank the following organisations for their financial assistance towards the purchase of the land and improvement work to Maes Y Pant.
Better Woodlands for Wales (Forestry Commission)
Mersey Waste Holdings
Gresford Community Council
Cory Environmental Trust
Northern Marches Cymru
Big Lottery Awards For All
Wrexham CFAP Fund
Environment Wales
Friends of Alyn Family Doctors
Toyota Charitable Trust
MBNA International
Image (Improve Marford and Gresford Environment)
Welsh Church Acts Fund
Tarmac Holdings
Keep Wales Tidy
SG Estates
B2C & Scottish Power
Lloyds Bank Community Fund
Proctor & Gamble
Friends of Maes y Pant
Anonymous Donors
