Press Release 7 May 2010 Renowned Shropshire tree hunter Rob McBride has declared Shropshire Council’s proposed North West Relief Road to be “Cuckoo Road” after discovering over 100 veteran trees that will either be cut down or badly affected by the road. He found the trees on a survey of the proposed route last month. These amazing trees have been recorded as part of the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Hunt, a nationwide five year project to find and record our wonderful notable, veteran and ancient trees. Rob says: “I had just started the survey when I heard my first cuckoo of 2010 and the name ‘Cuckoo Road’ seemed ideal for this destructive and unnecessary road. After all, the planners must be living in ‘Cloud Cuckoo Land’ if they think this scheme is appropriate, sensible or viable in the twenty-first century. The countryside that I encountered for the first time is stunning. I was really shocked by the beautiful landscape, the great views and the tranquillity. Hencott Pool, Crosshill, Gravellhill are all so close to Shrewsbury yet so quiet and beautiful. Many of the trees I have found are over 200 years old and some even older, over 300 years old.” The trees Rob discovered include:
|
Rob concludes: “I am very proud to say that I was born in Shrewsbury. I live in Ellesmere and find travelling around Shrewsbury very easy using the existing by-pass. There is absolutely no need for this road. Lots of local people do not want it. The area is a ‘green lung’ for Shrewsbury and it has been proved beyond doubt that these types of landscapes, with their woodlands, trees and quietness are truly beneficial to health. They are worth their weight in gold in terms of health benefits to people.” Rob wants people to register a protest against the road to save these ancient trees and the peaceful tranquil landscape the road will destroy. “The consultation runs until 14 May and people should write to the Council, or go online and make their views known. The Council is obsessed by this road and its time to tell them they are living in ‘Cloud Cuckoo Land’.” NotesFormerly a software engineer, Rob got involved with the Woodland Trust in late 2004 after his GP prescribed him ‘fresh air and exercise’ to overcome a difficult period in his life. Rob started volunteering for Shropshire County Council Countryside Service and was soon introduced to the world of ancient trees. He is now a voluntary verifier with the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Hunt (ATH), a project that aims to involve thousands of people in finding and mapping all the fat, old trees across the UK. In 2007 he won the Woodland Trust’s Volunteer of the Year award. Rob’s full set of photographs of the trees can be seen on Flickr. They have also been added to the Woodland Trust Ancient Tree database. |
