The work to clear the “Old Orchard” that used to belong to Mrs Tibbett’s is now substantially complete, all that remains is a little dead wood removal from some of the trees left on the fenceline facing the village green.

What was once a neglected area of waist high stinging nettles, collapsed willow and rotten fruit trees has been transformed into an impressive open space.

I would like to thank all those people who gave us their support and good wishes during this clearing process, there were a large number !

I would especially like to thank our local Councillor Anna Mackison for not personally taking issue with the works and spending a significant amount of time explaining the law relating to trees to those residents who complained to her and at the recent Parish Council meeting.

It would be interesting to know how many of those who complained are members of the Woodlands Trust ,the International Tree Foundation, Trees for Cities or any other organization that protects or plants new trees and woodland?

I suspect the complaints were motivated by the green eyed monster not green ethics or a long held committment to trees!

However, I would love to be proved wrong so if anyone actually cares enough about trees in Elmley Castle to put their hand in their pocket I will start a trust to raise funds to plant traditional broadleaf woodland trees in and around the village. I will ask the Parish Council to administer it.  I will put £2,000 in the trust to start it off and every £1 received in donations from other villagers  for the rest of 2009 I will match, (on condition that a full list of the donors and their donations is published and up to a maximum of £10,000).

Here is a chance for anyone with a genuine concern about trees in the village to make a real difference. I trust that those who complained the loudest, will dig deep for a cause so important to them.

If you would like to become involved please email me at editor@elmleycastle.com

There is now an explanatory page on this website that explains the law relating to tree work, which will perhaps help to correct the misconception that removing trees is automatically a criminal offence.