THE grandson of World War One hero Col Sir James Reynolds says Liverpool City Council would be going against his grandfather’s clearly expressed wishes if it builds a new school on an area of Woolton Woods.
Successful Liverpool cotton broker Sir James donated a 10 acre site of the historic woods, in 1917, for the enjoyment of the local population for generations to come.
'In 1917, when he was discussing his gift with city council members, he felt the people he was dealing with would be gentlemen who would respect and honour what he wanted'
The council wants to take a parcel of land, amounting to five percent of Woolton Woods, to enable a replacement St Julie’s Girls’ High School to be built.
Ahead of a gathering of the Reynolds’ family in Woolton at the weekend, the city council issued a statement saying Sir James had been paid by the council for the land, meaning it was theirs and could be built on.
Well over 100 villagers gathered in Woolton Woods on Sunday to watch Lady Charlotte Reynolds, granddaughter-in-law of Sir James, unveil a plaque to mark his birth, in Woolton, in February 1865.
It was clear the show of strength by four generations of the Reynolds’ family, aimed at demonstrating to city decision makers that the woodland was not theirs to use as a building site.
'If the council gets its way, and it won’t...' Simon O'Brien at the plaque unveiling with Lady Charlotte Reynolds
There is little doubt the surprise visit, fortified by a speech made by grandson Simon Reynolds, gave comfort to campaigners against the school plan, possibly putting them on a legal collision course with the council.
In an exclusive interview with Liverpool Confidential, Sir Simon Reynolds said: “It is perfectly clear what my uncle intended when he gifted the land in 1917. He donated 10 acres to the people and sold the remainder for £10,000.
“Whatever is being said now, his intentions were very clear. It could well be that in 1917 when he was discussing his gift with city council members, he felt the people he was dealing with would be gentlemen who would respect and honour what he wanted.”
He went on: “My grandfather, as a leading Catholic, would have approved of St Julie’s School being extended and improved. But he would certainly have not wanted Woolton Woods to be encroached upon, especially with a high-rise building that would diminish the village of Woolton.
“Grandfather wanted to make sure before he died or left Woolton that his wishes were in place. He made the donation of the land in 1917, before the end of the war, because he didn’t know if he would come back, so he made sure he presented some of the green area of Woolton to the people of his village and of the town.
“My message to the city council today would be to say Woolton Woods is part of the charm of Woolton village and must be protected. I am certain my grandfather would not want any of the green space he gave to be used for the school, as it would set a precedent.”
Sir Simon Reynolds: 'My grandfather...would certainly have not wanted Woolton Woods to be encroached upon, especially with a high-rise building that would diminish the village of Woolton'
Addressing the gathering Simon Reynolds said Sir James loved the countryside and wanted to ensure he left an area of countryside to the city he loved, Liverpool.
“That is why we are here today to protect his wishes on this issue,” he said.
Village resident and television personality Simon O Brien said: “Today we have been joined by four generations of the Reynolds’ family. If the council gets its way, and it won’t, they would build a solid brick wall, 20 metres in height, changing forever our conservation area.
“Col Reynolds gifted this land in good faith to the people. If there is any moral justice the council will think again about its plans and build the school on its existing site to respect the wishes of one of our great war heroes and philanthropists.”
