Category: Rusland Beeches

Not Giving Up! Letter to Government Office NW: pg 25 of Beeches, Boreholes and Badgers

July 25, 2016

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

Oh Aye, There Be Dragons: page 24 of Beeches, Boreholes and Badgers

July 21, 2016

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

Honey Fungus: page 22 of Beeches, Boreholes and Badgers

July 7, 2016

July 1996 The National Park Report says the presence of honey fungus (armillaria mellea) on the stumps of trees (Rusland Beeches previously felled by the NPA) is compromising safety.  One of the esteemed committee members suggests clearfelling and sterilising the soil. Crazy Talk!  A sterile soil is a lifeless soil.  Even when a tree has … More Honey Fungus: page 22 of Beeches, Boreholes and Badgers

Ghost Orchid: page 21 of Beeches Boreholes and Badgers

June 23, 2016

10th July 1996 Aunt Vera has written with the names of boffin friends to contact.  When she was 11 in 1924, Vera found the mythical Ghost Orchid (Epipogium aphyllum) in a beech wood near Henley.  It was first discovered in 1854 and rare sightings can be decades and woodlands apart.  No one is sure how … More Ghost Orchid: page 21 of Beeches Boreholes and Badgers

Sticking like sheep to the official decision to fell: page 19 of Beeches, Boreholes and Badgers

June 10, 2016

2nd July 1996 Over 3,200 people have signed the petition (Save the Rusland Beeches) thats thanks to people who love the beeches especially Christine and Larry B who collected most signatures. South Lakeland Friends of the Earth have offered support -thank goodness – they are the only group to do so! Following Roger and Andy’s … More Sticking like sheep to the official decision to fell: page 19 of Beeches, Boreholes and Badgers

“out on a limb” page 14 of Beeches, Boreholes and Badgers

April 29, 2016

30th May 1996 I must have spent a fortune on telephone calls and letters to tree experts.  People sound interested in having a look until the L.D.N.P.A are mentioned.  Seem to have rung people all over the country – got some useful information and recommendations.  One recommendation is for a tree expert with experience in … More “out on a limb” page 14 of Beeches, Boreholes and Badgers

“ugly and unstable:” page 14 of Beeches, Boreholes and Badgers

April 27, 2016

19th May 1996 Been lying awake thinking about the beeches.  I rang up the Chair of the ‘Special Planning Board’ in charge of the decision to fell and the conversation goes something like this: me: why fell all the trees when your own report says only half should be felled? Chair: by felling half, the … More “ugly and unstable:” page 14 of Beeches, Boreholes and Badgers