"Here we go round the mulberry bush" has been sung by countless children - and one particular mulberry tree was in the news at the weekend. In Bethnal Green is a large building- the old London Chest Hospital, which is adjacent to Victoria Park, and in a conservation area.In the grounds of the hospital is a mulberry tree - believed to be the most ancient tree in East London, and planted in 1540 by the notorious Bishop Bonner [who once lived a few miles from here, In Dereham]
In this engraving of the hospital from 1851, the tree can be seen on the left of the building
This photo shows nurses dancing round the tree in the 1940s. The hospital closed in 2015 and services were transferred to the Barts Heart Centre.The tree remained, supported by a prop, in the grounds. But along came developers with plans to demolish part of the listed building, and fell 27 of the 91 trees on the site [11 of which have TPOs] in order to build luxury housing.The East End Preservation Society leapt into action, and started a campaign to save the tree. ["oh, it's all right" said developers CrestNicolson, "we will dig it up and replant it". Tree experts warned such action would probably kill the tree]
I blogged about this in January 2018. In February of this year, Dame Judi Dench joined the campaign. And I am delighted to report that on Friday May 21st, at the High Court, Sir Duncan Ouseley said the local council had unlawfully misinterpreted national planning policy - and that permission to redevelop the site and remove the tree has been denied. This is brilliant news - hats off to Geoffrey Juden and the EEPS, for running such a successful campaign with such a good outcome.
It seems very sad criminal that Robert Jenrick didn't act more quickly to save the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, another irreplaceable part of our heritage. He actually said this week We should aspire to enhance the beauty of our local areas and pass on our heritage, enriched not diminished.
There are so many people that just don't understand the importance of maintaining the history and beauty of a place. I honestly believe that, amongst other reasons, that the rise of anti-social behaviour stems from some deeprooted human need for space and trees and open skies and when we live and spend all our time in places where this is not available (e.g. heavily urban and suburban areas) this manifests itself in negative ways. I'm glad the tree and site was saved.x
ReplyDeleteI agree - enjoying Creation has positive benefits all round
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful result. It's too easy for these developers to raze everything to the ground. That tree is a piece of history.
ReplyDeleteHistory indeed. I'm sure some of your pupils sang the song in the playground. I love the fact that "raze" is the opposite of "raise" !!
DeleteIt is so important to take care of the history! Let the victory in this cause inspire to fight for other causes as well!
ReplyDeleteYes! I wonder if you have similar fights in Scandinavia?
DeleteI've been following the story on the Spitafield blog...as well as the one about the bell foundry. Glad the tree is saved, especially after the disappointment about the foundry. My mother grew up near Bethnal Green so I'm familiar with the area. It seems like developers are trying to make the East End into another generically trendy building site with no character, not to mention unaffordable for current residents. Happy the tree will at least remain as a reminder of the past.
ReplyDeleteSpitalfields life is a fabulous blog- always interesting. My family were East Enders a few generations ago. I am so glad the tree has a reprieve
DeleteTory policy is to relax planning regulations and turn the countryside, parks and playing fields into huge housing estates or des res's for the wealthy. Developers have the PM's ear (or mobile number) and are set to become very rich (or even richer). Once this land is gone, it's gone forever. If we need houses, build them on the disused brownfield sites where our factories once stood.
ReplyDeleteI meant to add that because farmers can make more from selling off their land for building than from farming, especially in the "global" market conditions that will diminish their profits, it plays right into the hands of the big developers.
ReplyDeleteIt is so often profits that come first. And I agree, there are brownfield sites which could be used. I suspect they are 'in the wrong place' - or need too much work to make them 'safe'.
DeleteIs it too cynical to say that Robert Jenrick perhaps had other things on his mind rather than moving quickly to save the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. He has friends to keep happy with lucrative planning contracts. Too much?
ReplyDeleteGlad to read that the efforts to save the mulberry tree succeeded!
ReplyDelete