We held a fringe festival at the City Council’s St George’s Day event in Orton Square, near Curve, to highlight the Council’s plans to cut down 21 mature trees in St George’s Churchyard. Following the successful Tree Festival in January organised with CivicLeicester, we returned to celebrate the trees as the real heroes of the city.
Ambrose Musiyiwa, of CivicLeicester, said:
"The trees in St George's Churchyard are unique. They should be celebrated. They are the single, biggest cluster of trees in a city centre that has now been taken over by concrete, steel and glass. Trees clean our air, store carbon, provide a habitat for wildlife and make Leicester a healthier, happier place to live. We hope that our celebration will slay the dragon of habitat loss!"
Attendees were invited to wear something green. As part of the celebration, each of the threatened trees was dedicated to the people of a Leicester ward - there are 21 wards in Leicester and 21 trees. There was a 'thank you' book to sign, so that members of the public could express their appreciation for the trees. The campaigners also plan turned the railings of the churchyard into a gallery celebrating the trees and people brought pictures, poems and other artwork to add.
Hannah Wakley, of Leicester Friends of the Earth, said:
“The planning committee first considered the proposal to cut down 21 trees back in January and they still haven’t made a decision. We don’t know what is causing the delay - perhaps they are hoping we will forget about it and stop objecting. But people are still paying attention and we are gathering to show the Council that we value the trees in our city and want to keep them."
