October 18th 1996 English Nature have carried out their bat survey (following Andy’s discovery of roosts). Seven of the 54 trees have bat roosts. The LDNPA say that they will “put a lot of effort” into relocating the bats. Ive written to the European Union – their reply is crapola! It seems the National Park … More National Park – Judge and Jury pg 37 Beeches, Boreholes and Badgers
1st October 1996 The National Park Authority defer ratification till end of October. Chance for more people to send in objections to felling. The Government’s Chief Advisor on medical microbiology is going to write to the Environment Secretary on behalf of the beeches 16th October 1996 Rt Hon John Gummer MP Dear Mr Gummer, … More Top Scientist Says Keep the Trees: pages 34 -36 of Beeches Boreholes and Badgers
22nd Sept 1996 Beech Party The banners were made by different people and left up after everyone had gone home. There were people who had travelled from as far away as Carlisle to support the trees. Visitors to the Beech Party who didn’t have to travel far where Tony Wood’s saddleback pigs from Abbots Reading … More Beech Party: pages 32 & 33
Sept 3rd 1996 Had a visit from CID. Just arrived unannounced at the door – plain clothes chap….asking(?) to come in and “talk about the Rusland Beeches” Like before (on the phone) wants to know if I plan to organise a “sit in” but the National Park still have to ratify their own decision to … More Visit from CID: pages 30 and 31
August 1996 Geoff has put on an exhibition at Ulverston Library of his atmospheric photos of the beeches. He has also written a polemic leaflet asking people to “write, write, phone!” Ive photocopied lots and put them in libraries etc. Friends of the Lake District have complained and the leaflets in Kendal library are disappearing … More Speckled Wood: page 29 of Beeches, Boreholes and Badgers
15th August 1996 Just when I have run out of steam and cannot think of anything else to help the trees – there is now momentum. Dr Geoff D is a boffin and computer expert who has put the Rusland Beeches on the internet (black/white magic?) with debate coming in from all over the world … More Debate from all over the world: pg 28 of Beeches, Boreholes and Badgers
July 1996 Written off letters to celebrities asking if they would support the Rusland Beeches. Got replies back from Chris Bonington, Prince of Wales and Melvyn Bragg….all too busy but some useful suggestions about contacting TV and Radio. One very unuseful comment from Chris Bonington who suggests we work closely with Friends of the … More Pleading for Help from The Great and the Good: pg 26 and 27 of Beeches, Boreholes and Badgers
July 23rd 1996 Not giving up! Letter to Government Office NW Dear Mr S. A. MacDonald, Further to our telephone conversation, I am writing to you concerning the proposed felling of the Rusland Beeches. On Friday 19th July the Lake District Planning Board rode roughshod over public opinion and disregarded a report by two highly … More Not Giving Up! Letter to Government Office NW: pg 25 of Beeches, Boreholes and Badgers
19th July 1996 National Park Management meeting at Murley Moss. The Committee vote 8 to 6 to clearfell the Rusland Beeches. Comments include: “The trees are at the end of their life” “The remainder will look ugly if not all are felled” “Safety is our first priority” “The National Park Authority’s expert is more qualified … More Oh Aye, There Be Dragons: page 24 of Beeches, Boreholes and Badgers
16th July 1996 Had a phone call from the police who want to know if campaigners are going to “sit in” the Rusland Beeches. I reply that it is not likely (but the NPA chairman has said they will build me a tree house in the largest tree and fell that first!) We expect a … More Nuthatch: page 23 of Beeches, Boreholes and Badgers
Wastwater Chronicles 