The big Christmas tree damaged

Ralph Warburton of ADAS writes: "As probably my last piece of news for 2007, I contact you to tell you of the Big Tree. Yesterday, a few lights were damaged by a passing vehicle getting too close to the tree. Phil Baker came to fix them and discovered that the tree was damaged. He stopped me as I came into the Square and we examined it in detail. During the night of Friday and during the very strong gusty winds, the tree had split from the base for a good 12 feet.

"There was a potential danger if we had more such winds so remedial action had to be taken – and fast. To take it down so early would have been sad, so after a few hours work, we bolted braces through the trunk and further secured it with rachet straps. Phil, Mike Haines and Pete Hollinshead were very involved in this operation and the tree is safe.

Last night, Phil and I checked it and the work was secure. The plan is that the dispalys and all trees will all come down on Saturday 5th January. The logs from the big tree will go to our sponsors, Geoff & Olive Stretch. The small trees will go to support the Scout and Guide recycling operation over that weekend."

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