The organizers of the Save Cann Woods march today (Sunday, September 18) are expecting dozens of walker to join the protest walk through the woods highlighting plans to sell the public forest estate.
One of the organizers, Luke Pollard, said: “The Government has done a sterling job in giving the impression they dropped plans to sell the forests. But the plans were never actually dropped – only paused. We need to show the Government and our local MPs that people in Plymouth want to keep Cann Woods publicly owned.”
Walkers are being asked to bring their families, walking boots and placards and meet on Sunday at 2pm at Coypool Park and Ride for a protest walk through the woods.
Cllr Tudor Evans, Leader of the Opposition, on Plymouth City Council said: “It is hard to imagine our woodlands being sold off to the highest bidder with communities asked to buy back the woods they already own but that’s what the Government’s plans were. This march will highlight that we want our woodlands to remain open, free to use and publicly owned.”
Luke Pollard added: “Unlike the many protests against the Coalition Government’s policies in Plymouth this one will be quieter and more mellow. We don’t want to disturb the wildlife, but the Government should not take the lack of noise for an absence of passion or commitment on our behalf to see Cann Woods protected for future generations from sale.”
The woodland walk will last approximately one hour with walkers invited to enjoy Cann Woods. Walkers will also be invited to write directly to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Caroline Spellman MP, asking her to rule out future forest sales after she receives the progress report from the Government’s Independent Panel on Forestry in the next month. The protest is being organised by Plymouth Labour Party but people are being invited to join the walk no matter what political party they support.
(from a press release)
(image: Cann Woods 
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