A WOMAN who is tracing the history of a famous Ribble Valley tree has been stumped in her search for facts.

Mrs Margaret Cartwright is trying to piece together a history of the "King Oak" tree which once stood in Bayley Hall Wood near Hurst Green and now she is appealing for anyone who can help.

The massive tree, which stood 127ft high and had a girth of 16ft, was 300 years old when it was felled on April 10, 1945.

Different stories say the tree was felled for a barrel-making company in Cheshire or to be used to replace a bomb-damaged table in the House of Commons.

Mrs Cartwright, whose ancestors, the Ainsworth family, once lived in Bayley Hall and were a famous woodcutting family, is determined to find the truth in preparation for a special exhibition in Hurst Green's memorial hall next month.

She said: "My father tells me that the tree was felled by a company called Widdop's.

"We know they were woodcutters but we are not sure where they were from and my father has told me that he believes some members of the family are still alive.

"It must have been a major operation to fell the tree and then transport it to wherever it was going and I am sure there are people still living locally who can remember things about it. "We have heard different tales of what happened to the tree when it was chopped down and I would be grateful if anyone who can recall anything at all about the tree could contact me."

The rare King Oak was planted with a Queen Oak which still stands in the wood.

Mrs Cartwright, who lives in Hurst Green, said: "A brass plaque was placed on the stump of the King Oak after it was felled which quotes a J. Shaw.

"I have no idea who that was but it would be wonderful if he or she could contact me as well.

Mrs Cartwright is trying to piece together a display of memorabilia about the history of the village hall ready for the village fete on August 4 and the tree project will be part of that.

She is also looking for a poster which was published in 1963 inviting craftsmen from all over the country to volunteer their services in the building of the memorial hall which was eventually completed in 1965.

Mrs Cartwright said: "We have heard that someone locally has one of these posters or a photograph of one and we would very much like to include that in the exhibition as well."

Anyone with any information for Mrs Cartwright can contact her on 01254 826645 or leave a message for her on 826204.

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