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This petition aims to PROTECT Hopwood Hall Estate! Our endeavors to preserve this significant structure are facing opposition from certain individuals within Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale Development Agency, and Hopwood Hall College & University Centre.
On the evening of November 20, 2024, from 6pm to 8pm, Mr. Hopwood Depree conducted an urgent Public Meeting to address the legal challenges confronting him and his group of Volunteers concerning Hopwood Hall Estate, his ancestral home.
A lengthy queue of members of the public patiently waited to enter, demonstrating their support and seeking further information about the issues and obstacles confronting Hopwood and his team. Numerous volunteers were present at the gathering, assisting attendees in finding seats, speaking on stage, and maintaining a noticeable security presence to ensure that all guests were warmly welcomed and registered at the venue.
After the meeting commenced, a safety announcement was delivered to inform everyone about the fire evacuation procedures. Following this, Volunteers shared their personal reflections on the significance of Hopwood Hall Estate to them as volunteers, and discussed the impact of the ongoing legal dispute on their emotional and mental well-being. Volunteers with strong ties to the estate, whether through family connections or encounters with notable visitors in the past, bravely and emotionally expressed their thoughts. Their speeches were delivered with such courage, emotion, and professionalism that there was not a single person in the hall who remained unaffected by the moving speeches given.
Mr. Depree took the stage and delivered a speech, accompanied by video footage of the business plan he had previously presented to Rochdale Council. Additionally, he showed a brief clip featuring the individual who assisted in developing the plan. Mr. Depree then invited members of the audience to pose their questions, assuring them that he would strive to provide transparent answers. However, he refrained from discussing any matters related to the ongoing legal challenge to avoid any complications.
Local councilors attended the meeting and voiced their backing for Mr. Depree and his team of volunteers. They indicated their intention to liaise with Rochdale Council to organize a meeting, a proposal to which Mr. Depree agreed. He expressed willingness to engage in discussions to advance the project alongside his volunteers under his leadership as all volunteers stated the same that they stand with Hopwood Depree only.
Following a series of questions and answers, the meeting wrapped up with gratitude extended to all attendees for their continued support towards Hopwood Hall Estate, Hopwood Depree, and the volunteer team. An online petition has been created for those who want to show their support for Hopwood Hall Estate Please Sign and Share far and wide and lets #SaveHopwoodHall