Cookham Crier

It’s about a month since the 100 year old Lime tree at the junction of Alleyns Lane and Dean Lane was felled because of damage to it’s tree roots. You’ll remember that the drainage contractors dug a trench across the small green and through the Lime’s fine network of roots, and then they cut straight through the electric mains. South East Electricity had to come in to repair, and they caused more damage to the root system as they were trying to reconnect us to the network – hence we lost the tree. The drainage contractors were required to apply for permission from the RBWM (as the landowners), to dig the trench and, in doing so, they should have been given a Root Protection Area (RPA) to map out a safe dig. There are questions regarding what was requested, issued and followed in this process, and the RBWM planning enforcement team started an investigation. We have a single point of contact in the RBWM and I have asked three times now for an update of their investigation - with no further information yet.

However, better news is that the missing memorial plaque has been located – rescued by one of the neighbours opposite, so we will be able to replace this when the time comes. The owner of Reddaways has also been consulted on what to replace the Lime tree with, and after help from the Cookham Wildlife Supporters, has settled on another deciduous tree called a Wild Service tree. It is a native tree but rare now, and has both flowers and fruit. So it will provide interest all year round and be an excellent habitat for nature. The fruits are called “Chequers” and are only edible after a process called “bletting” (freezing to you or I) but they can also be made into an alcoholic drink. These fruit are thought to have given rise to the (general) pub name of “The Chequers” and it makes you wonder if there were more Service trees in this area at some time, thus giving us our own “Chequers” pub, further down Dean Lane.

I also want to share with you the kindest offer that we all have received. I had an email from a lady whose husband is an expert wood carver. He has offered to carve something "for the village" from a piece of the felled tree. I approached the RBWM immediately, but was so disappointed to hear that the wood had all been disposed of, and they suggested that it was not ideal for carving. This however, is the response from someone who really knows:

“Thank you again for your reply and it is very sad that the wood has gone as it would have been a lovely use of the tree as a memory for the village. It was just an idea that my husband had and was willing to do for the village he in no way wanted to make another issue of a very tragic situation.

Just so that you know I have photographed a page from one of my husband's books on wood. Lime has been used for centuries by the revered carvers in history. It has lasted hundreds of years in many prominent buildings such as St Pauls Cathedral and Hampton Court. We really do not want to make an issue about this but my husband knows his woods which was why he suggested it the minute I told him about the tree. There is an element of it rotting slightly quicker than some other woods but there are pieces of lime sculpture in this country that are in beautiful condition that are over 700 years old. The tree has gone and so it is no longer possible but we did not want you to be told that it would not have been a good to use for a sculpture.

If you do want to something to mark the tree in any way please let us know.