Vanishing trees - deja vu
My recent stories about the danger to trees in Consett have aroused considerable interest, and at least four letters to the council.
One Focus reader has provided me with some interesting historical information which I reproduce here with acknowledgements to the late lamented Consett Guardian (we didn’t realise how good it was till we lost it!).
The story starts in March 1980 with Primrose Patrol of the 1st Consett Guides who won two silver birches and planted them - you’ve guessed it - opposite Consett Parish Church:
The Consett Guardian takes up the story:
Unfortunately, the best efforts of the girl guides were to be thwarted by Derwentside District Council. Only months later, in August 1980, the guides were rocked by the Guardian’s “Tree chop shock” headline and the following story:
Eagle-eyed readers can supply confirmation of exactly where that site was from ”All’s well that ends well” story when Derwentside made good its gaffe.
Let’s hope that this time there is no chance of a repeat performance by the council. The responses to date should mean that there is no risk of the council again failing to consult people with an interest in the land.
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