I AM writing to express my absolute astonishment at the recent destruction of perfectly healthy mature trees to the rear of my property. The trees were approximately 60 to 70 years old and are now no more! This outrage was perpetrated not by some developer but by the parochial church council of Christ Church. Myself and several residents are more than upset at the devastation caused to our local environment, we have enjoyed the trees at every season. In spring they attracted nesting bird-life, and subsequently in summer the greenery they provided was a spiritual light in an otherwise highly urbanised area. In the recent high winds our properties were faithfully shielded by these giants, and their autumnal plumage was a true pleasure to observe. Not all the residents on our street are physically able to get to the nearby parks and some of them grew up in this area alongside these trees. Why chop down perfectly healthy and much loved trees? Many here would dearly like to know. How can a church parochial committee so drastically alter an urban oasis? Why was no-one consulted about this? The Church's fund raising leaflets are speedily delivered through our doors, and we have attended some of these events and yet no such missive informed us of this decision, why? The decision to remove the trees was made on Monday, February 2, was it really necessary to act on it the very next day?

We were given conflicting reasons for the felling of all the trees on site, ranging from building developments to storm damage, why?

Some residents including myself decided to try and stop the tree surgeons until we had some justification for the trees' removal, we requested evidence of the possible dangers posed by the trees and were refused, why? In these days of Charters and citizens' rights, how can an organisation with so much interest in the public good act in such an ill considered, insensitive and hurtful way? I really do wish these concerns could have been considered prior to the tree felling. Myself and other residents have had to mobilise ourselves to organise Tree Protection Orders so none of the remaining trees are, as yet, as risk.

It is with deep regret that I am forced to take such direct action, but if this is the only I can protect my own, my family's and my community's "natural amenities" I will continue.

Mrs J Barlow

Kirkes Road

Lancaster

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.