Friends of Williamson's Tunnels

.....News added on 15th March 1998 1998....

· Digging underway at Paddington Gardens
The owner of the long derelict Paddington Gardens flats on the North-East side of the tunnels site recently invited us to search for the long-lost tunnels under this area. Rumoured to be some of Williamson's most elaborate structures, these tunnels haven't been seen for decades. We've begun work and are about to make trial bore holes before bringing in proper digging equipment. The architects responsible for this land have shown foresight and consideration and we're pleased to be working with them.

· Eleventh hour for Grinfield Street tunnels?

The developers with plans for the Grinfield Street part of the tunnels site are awaiting an announcement soon from English Partnerships on their application for funding for foundations for their proposed flats. The decision may be announced by the end of March. Interestingly, the new head of English Heritage, who advise E.P. on their decisions, contacted us recently to assert that the developers proposals 'may only be of limited benefit'.

· Fundraising

Following a very generous financial award from the Parks Partnership, the local regeneration agency responsible for Edge Hill, we have now drawn up a glossy colour brochure designed to raise funds for the purchase of Williamson's house. After a couple of weeks seeking endorsements from important organisations and individuals, we will be sending the brochure out to carefully targeted interested organisations and hopefully receiving material assistance to help save the tunnels underneath the house.

· Joint meeting

A long-awaited meeting between ourselves, Liverpool City Council and the architect representing the builders intending to build flats on the Grinfield Street part of the tunnels site took place at the end of 1997. Discussions were cordial but frank. The key points: the City Council expressed little hope for the developers' chances of receiving either lottery or English Partnerships grants; the developers are waiting for the decision on their funding application before they start work on the site (it's due in the next few weeks); the developers insist that they will demolish the stable yards whatever happens; the City Council recognises the importance of our organisation and wants us to be involved as much as possible; nobody will accept our historical evidence of tunnels under the area on which they intend to build - everybody wants physical evidence (which we can't produce without access to the site); further meetings were accepted as a positive step and, indeed, have been taking place.

· Honoured by Microsoft!

At the end of November, we were contacted by the one and only Microsoft, asking our permission to feature this site on their Internet Explorer Home User pages. We accepted and were highlighted on their site for a week, which generated useful extra exposure for the tunnels cause. We're still there in the Microsoft archives.

· Distinguished support!

Further support came recently from the Marquess of Salisbury, who once owned much of the land around Williamson's property. A letter from the current Marquess' staff offered us a lot of useful advice and described the tunnels story as fascinating.