Natalie Bennett, newly
elected Green Party Leader is in Manchester today supporting the Alexandra Park campaigners.
The group are fighting Manchester
City Council whose plans to ‘improve’ the park involve cutting down over 250
trees.
Natalie will
be at Alexandra Park TODAY (December 3rd) at 3pm talking to the protesters and the press. If
you can make it along to support the action, do so.
Thanks.
whereabouts in the park? - it's quite big...
ReplyDeletehi. near the lake but will put up signs at entrance
ReplyDeleteHi it seems to me that the root (no pun intended) of the problem is the rigid and insistent imposition of the stuffy rules of the heritage lot and possibly MCC's interpretation of them.
ReplyDeleteSurley we can eek out a sensible and satisfactory result from arguing that heritage is ours, in this time too, the only difference being that these trees have grown (buildings don't.
The Victorians were great at planning and not just for their own lifetimes, I am certain (historians back me up here) that they planted trees for the future generations to enjoy knowing that the trees would not reach maturity in their won lifetimes. A selfless act, a sharing through the decades and generations, they wanted us to enjoy these fine lungs of the city. The trees are a gift from them and should be received and respected as such, just as any Grade 2 listed building.
The Oxford English Dictinary states the meanings of "heritage" below. Please note: "denoting or relating to things of special architectural, historical, or natural value that are preserved for the nation" It could not be any clearer.
Thanks for listening.
Jo
Definition of heritage
noun
[in singular]
1property that is or may be inherited; an inheritance: they had stolen his grandfather’s heritage
valued objects and qualities such as historic buildings and cultural traditions that have been passed down from previous generations: Europe’s varied cultural heritage [mass noun]: the estuary has a sense of history and heritage
[as modifier] denoting or relating to things of special architectural, historical, or natural value that are preserved for the nation: a heritage centre 60 miles of heritage coastline
[as modifier] denoting a traditional brand or product regarded as emblematic of fine craftsmanship: heritage brands have found a growing cachet among younger customers
[as modifier] North American (of a plant variety) not hybridized with another; old-fashioned: heritage roses
(COPY OF WHAT I WROTE IN RESPONSE TO RELATED E-MAILS I RECEIVED):
ReplyDeleteHi, I've read all of the e-mails below (along with the other related e-mails in my inbox) with keen interest and have still decided to go ahead and sign the petition;
In response to some of the points below: I am not from America; nor am I new to the area. What I am, is concerned that any biodiversity initiatives do not come at the expense of precious already existing trees. (No matter how much money's on offer... - In my view, these days, sizeable sums of money on offer quite often dictate all sorts of agendas...)
As has been aptly pointed out below, these trees have already well-proven their merits by the very fact that they have withstood all that has been described below. Surely, if anything, this should teach us something of their worth?
That is not to say that I'm not appreciative of the need for bio-diversity - As a long-term active member of Birchfields Park Forest Garden, I am greatly aware of its need (although it should be noted that I can't speak on behalf of the rest of our Forest Garden, nor the rest of the Friends of Birchfields Park) - But to my mind, the trees' long-term existence in itself proves them a vital component of the local existing wildlife's make-up. On top of their aesthetic qualities and historical merits, they additionally carry their own practical benefits, create their own wildlife habitat, and I wonder how fruit trees and berry bushes would measure up to their huge oxygen-generating capacities in this polluted city? - Like I said, these are just my personal opinions but I'm going to sign the petition now.
Best regards, Yasmin Quayyum.