New Trees

Great news tree huggers everywhere and a big thank you to Councillors Patrick Kitterick, Neil Clayton and Lynn Senior. And I quote:


"At last night's Ward Community Meeting we agreed the money in order to re-plant the Cradock Road Trees. Following the award of this money I await to hear from the Trees & Woodlands Section as to when the work can begin. - Patrick."

Errr - The tree planting picture is from the www. Not ours!

Tree News.

Thanks to all for the support. We may be able to sort this out!

I have now received the following reply from Mike Pears, of Leicester City Council which is self explanatory.

Dear Mr Savage,  thanks for your email, I have asked our Trees and Woodlands Team to clarify the reasons for removal of the tree and they have replied as follows:

"Both trees were removed on the grounds of severe basal decay, leading to inner and deep cavities, all caused by low level (car height) vehicle damage over several years. These cavities were formed in an almost honeycomb pattern which meant that if slightly pushed in the wrong way then the remaining tissue could buckle/collapse.  The crowns were both at a stage where further pruning to keep them from causing building damage was not going to be possible without unreasonably short maintenance periods."

Removal of the tree and grinding out of the stump has to be done when a replacement tree is to be planted so the only additional cost is capping off the tree pit to maintain a safe surface within the footway.

I am submitting a bid to the Castle Ward Community Meeting to try to secure funding for replacing six trees within the ward including the two on Cradock Road. This bid should be discussed at the next meeting on 22nd March.

Regards
Mike

It seems that we must now lobby our local council members to give funding a chance of approval to replace our trees, or R.O.T. for short!

I shall send an email to expressing our feelings and, if I can find out where it is, may attend the meeting on 22nd March.

It would be very helpful if anyone else reading this could also lobby our local councillors. The picture illustrate how bare it looks without our trees.

Thanks.

A Murder in Cradock Rd

Greetings all. Sorry for the lack of posts, but I’ve been busy with other projects.

Pour yourself a long drink and prepare for a rant about local politics.

Many years ago (probably about 35) Leicester City Council planted some trees around the back streets of Clarendon Park which have offered a very welcome splash of green to a predominantly red brick background.
On 3rd November two were cut down. Murdered! Gone for ever! One at the top and another at the bottom (Howard Rd. end) of Cradock Road. I phoned the Council on 4th November to complain and enquire why our apparently healthy trees had been so ruthlessly removed. I was told they had been diseased, but the Council were obliged to replace any removed trees. ‘It may take up to a year as funds are tight’ he added.

Having given the matter some thought I do not remember the trees looking particular sick, quite the opposite in fact. Flourishing! I can offer no evidence, or scientific knowledge in support of this though. It did, however, get in the way of the enormous refuse collection trucks that struggle to get around all of our roads and I found it rather a coincidence that it was the two that caused most trouble that were ‘diseased’.

In a letter, I put this theory forward, but was assured it ‘did not have anything to do with access issues for refuse vehicles’. I also suggested that surely it was cheaper to plant replacement trees than remove and chip two (3 workmen for at least two hours), then come and clear the area and tarmac over it (At least 4 workmen half a day), then come with a big lorry and remove the old tarmac and paving (missed this bit, but must have been two men for an hour).

As luck would have it I photographed the tree in it’s prime in the summer of 2009 with and without the bin lorry and, more recently the bare space resulting in the ‘murder’ and the ease with which the refuse lorry can now swing round the junction. He hardly has to slow down! Please form your own opinion.

The most recent communiqué from The Council states that there are currently no funds available to replace any trees. (they have probably used their resources answering my letters!) I dearly wish they had never removed the trees, but am starting a campaign to replace at least the one at the top of Cradock Rd. (Montague Rd end) as this area now looks so bleak. The Howard Rd end still benefits from existing mature trees.

This all happens in a year when there are schemes to plant trees in celebration of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, actively supported by BBC TV presenter, Kate Humble.
Watch this space for news and contact me if you want to wave a banner or something.

Thanks.

Stress Free.

Food shopping for Christmas all done on Queens Rd. Time taken. About 20 minutes. Stress level: Zero.
From Archers, a Copas (est 1957) free range Turkey, as recommended by Rick Stein. As it has enjoyed a very pleasant life strolling around a meadow and then being gentle put to sleep to the sound of Chopin, it should taste good. Leeks, carrots and other assorted veg from Peasgood’s, but no Cauliflower. There’s a shortage apparently. Also bought a red cabbage which is already in the slow cooker, finely chopped and mixed with a jar of Mango Chutney. Wine from Bargain Booze and various other bits and pieces from Sainsbury’s Local. Merry Christmas one and all!

A Great Success.

The first Queen’s Road Christmas Fair was blessed with perfect weather. Crisp, at around 0º, but a clear blue sky and a huge turnout. The shops were busy, the bars rammed and the stalls well attended. How rewarding to see so many people out and about talking to each other. Lets hope there’s another one next year. Photos shows Ian Reeds raising awareness for his Round the World cycle ride next year. In aid of Cancer Research and M.S. The band are Acoustic Abuse. A great act!

Bit of a do.

Sorry for the long absence of posts. I’ve been putting a lot of time and energy into other projects this year.

It seems we are to have a Christmas fair in Queens Rd. and I have reproduced the two sides of the flyer here, which are self explanatory. Hopefully the idea will be embraced by all and the sun will shine. I wonder if it will be anything like one in Spain where tempting local nibbles were on offer. Try one, salivate, then buy. I hope so.

It is most uncharacteristic, but I have just attended a meeting! 18 of us sat around a table in the Christchurch Meeting Rooms to make suggestions to Councillor Patrick Kitterick , who had a lot of good plans already, about what would make the event successful.

One of the best was that it should carry on after the planned 5.00 pm finish and migrate to a bar with live music and lots of beer! All those in favour.......

The work of spies.

Recently, a Queens Road Blog Stringer contacted me to alert this Blog to strange goings on at the far end of Queen Road. Somebody has been dumping hundreds of old music VHS tapes in the public litter bins. Clearly the work of spies, we should keep our eyes on developments. The main bins used seem to be the two at the far end of the road. I have not seen who turns up to collect the tapes, but expect it is a Cold War Spy and the tape featured here, craftily labelled 1960’s, in fact refers to escape routes over the Berlin Wall. Keep it to yourself though. Walls have ears.