Ongoing dia-log & stormy weather

Petition update

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We now have reached another milestone unexpectedly fast, with almost £6000 in support for our Crowdfunding page and growing. Thank you to all those who have given your hard earned money to this cause. A first portion is earmarked for legal services. We will share more details on how it is being put to use as soon as we can.

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Update from the tree

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It's been nearly two working weeks now since the tree protectors started their self organised vigil at the tree. And with the tree(s) still standing it rather seems to be working.

The vehicles that were parked in the vicinity of the tree have been removed within the 7 day notices issued by the local town council voluntarily and without any additional measures needed. I think this is a sign that the community is willing to work together with the council, which I hope will be reciprocated.

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The weather conditions have been damper and colder again. There is stormy weather ahead (let's hope only in the very literal sense). I feel for those who are spending time outdoors and hopefully all are keeping well and safe.

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Local business Sibbons has delivered some weights to site to help hold down tents in the upcoming stormy weather and gloves I am told too. This is a really positive gesture, especially as Sibbons are also providing the fencing to the site for the council. Thank you to them.

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Talking & working together

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There is a meeting scheduled between the campaign team with the council tomorrow, together with the respective legal representations. I hope this will be a constructive dialogue and that together solutions can be found that we can all feel satisfied with.

I have personally continued to dialogue with experts in industry and those who offer solutions that exist to safeguard trees and properties simultaneously. I am even more sure than ever that there is a solution that can be found here without needing to compromise on either aspect. This is one of those where you can have your cake and eat it should you want to.

I have personally reached out to Aviva and their senior management to also try to seek an extension of time and participation in future dialogue. I await a response.

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Note from Essex wildlife trust

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The Essex Wildlife trust has shared a statement in support of our ask to WTC and Aviva. This is notable given that the Wildlife Trusts directly receive funding from Aviva. They have said:

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"Essex Wildlife Trust would urge both the insurer and council to assess the full value of the tree using an established system such as the Capital Asset Value of Amenity Trees (CAVAT) system, and take every step to explore all available alternatives to felling, such as root management, so that removal is the last resort.

In some instances, felling can cause even more issues for adjacent structures through root heave, as well as removing important habitat. The oak is our most species-rich native tree. We cannot afford to lose any oaks where it can be avoided."

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Dated 22/01/25, 14:45, from X (formerly Twitter)

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The latter point the Essex Wildlife Trust makes about the implications that felling the trees may have has long been something those involved in seeking to save the tree have voiced. We do not believe adequate testing has taken place into how the soil will be affected as the roots die and dry out over time, as the tree no longer binds the soil and as it stops absorbing water.

Residents along the road most affected are very vocal about these concerns, with a large number of them actively involved in supporting the campaign and the tree protection effort. They are genuinely worried about future ground heave and feel they deserve fair participation and voice in the decision-making process which the council has to date not satisfied them with.

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Media

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Today, the BBC featured our story again both on BBC Radio Essex (at around 7.20am if you want to catch-up on BBC sounds) and on BBC news online. The Colchester Gazette has also covered the story again here and here.

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It is noted that in the coverage the WTC representatives have mentioned the closure of the car park as impacting local businesses and the costs of security. It is disappointing to read this sort of criticism when the council holds no accountability for its own actions contributing to this situation, and while their reasons for closing some facilities, the toilets included, seem a little ungenerous to the wider community. Of course no one wants public funds to be wasted or for local businesses to suffer. We want to work with the council on addressing these points.

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In a dialogue with the council last week members of the campaign raised concerns on the closure of the car park (which seemed to be operational in the early days of the closure as a ⅔ car park) and the closure of the toilets, but the council have not seemingly progressed positively in the interim in finding a workable interim solution collectively with the tree protectors.

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And furthermore, I am sure no one wants the protection of the tree to continue in perpetuity. But it seems those protecting the tree see - for the time being - no alternative. This I can understand in the absence of proper assurances. Hopefully in the dialogue with the council tomorrow this can all begin to be resolved.  Together we will need to find a way forward that gives the protectors the confidence that alternatives are being pursued and there is no immediate risk of felling so that normality can resume.

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In other news on news, tree protectors and campaign team also are expecting a visit from a journalist from a major national newspaper, so we hope to be seeing the story picked up soon there.

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To conclude

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Tomorrow will be an important day with the meeting with the council. I do personally have hope still for saving the trees and feel increasingly confident that if we all work together with WTC and Aviva we can find an alternative to felling the tree that also ensures long term safety of those homes affected by ground movement. I hope that the council will come to the table with an open mind and without prejudices.