'Chain gang' in protest against plan to fell Brockhole monkey puzzle tree

9:39am Friday 26th October 2012 in News

The protestors at the tree The protestors at the tree

THE felling of an iconic tree will go ahead, despite protests from campaigners who chained themselves to its trunk.

Yesterday morning six objectors chalked the words ‘Save Me’ onto the bark and staged a peaceful protest against a decision by the Lake District National Park Authority to chop down a 110-year-old monkey puzzle in the grounds of Brockhole.

Adam Thomas, redevelopment programme director, said: “The protest was similar to ones we have had before, including at a meeting last weekend when members made it clear to them that a decision has been made.

“What the protestors have to say has been considered. But the tree will be cut down and a new one planted instead.”

Mr Thomas said he would not make the felling date public for ‘health and safety’ purposes.

One of the protestors Susan Wales said the protest has been a success.

“The park authority says it wants to fell the tree because it spoils the view,” she said. “But most people think it enhances the view.

“We are still trying to get a preservation order , from an authority above the LDNPA.”

The tree was planted by the Gaddum family, cousins of Beatrix Potter who lived at Brockhole.

Comments(7)

Adam_Kendal says...
4:13pm Fri 26 Oct 12

"One of the protestors Susan Wales said the protest has been a success" It's such a success that it's still being cut down?

Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle, I'm frankly puzzled by this statement.

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marianneb says...
8:21pm Fri 26 Oct 12

Successfully exposed the lunacy of the proposal to fell a wonderful tree which if was in ANY OTHER GARDEN in the Lakes would have had a Tree Preservation Order Slapped on with no nasty beaurocratic monkey business.

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twitchy says...
11:58pm Fri 26 Oct 12

It seems like the monkeys at the LDNPA have had some kind of chain reaction that has rendered them incapable of independent thought. Ordinarily that would not necessarily be a bad thing however in this case I think it is essential that those opposed to the felling of the endangered tree should speak out LOUDLY.
Before the blame for its loss lands at your door.

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Milkbutnosugarplease says...
12:45am Sat 27 Oct 12

In other places a protester has climbed up into the tree with food supplies and lived there to keep the chain saws at bay. I'm not suggesting anything illegal - just mentioning it to be helpful.

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Lakeuk says...
9:40am Sat 27 Oct 12

If the tree was important it would had a preservation order on it, there are many trees in the area that get an order attached at the near whiff of a hint of a thought of cutting a tree down.

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craggy says...
10:43am Sat 27 Oct 12

Has marrianneb answered the accusation that she totally misrepresented the findings of the bat report?

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marianneb says...
4:56pm Sat 27 Oct 12

Is that the bat report that urged the National Park not to have evening activity on the Tree Top Trek?

No worries at all in the case of the monkey puzzle , the LDNPA will just ask the persons contracted to fell the tree to check for bats...... Simples

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