An Essex school has been left devastated after thieves broke into their grounds and cut down a huge, 61-year-old tree before stealing most of the wood. New Hall School in Chelmsford was trespassed between April 30 and May 1 this year, cutting down the horse chestnut tree that once towered over the grounds' entrance.
The felled tree stood in the front garden of Gate Lodge, a property owned by New Hall School Trust. Head Gardener, Simon Boddy, said: “It was not only a striking and much-loved feature of the school’s landscape but also held ecological importance. The tree, which exceeded five cubic metres in volume, was protected due to its age and size, which included a 10m canopy. It is hard to believe that it is gone.”
Gate Lodge, built as a compensatory structure when the historic Avenue was truncated by the A12 bypass in 1969, marks the entrance to The Avenue which includes a Grade II Registered Park and Garden, extending up to the front of the former Tudor place of Beaulieu, which is New Hall School’s main building. As a Grade I listed property, New Hall is in the top 2.5 per cent of historic buildings nationally. New Hall School Trust is committed to preserving the heritage of this site of national importance.
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The resident of Gate Lodge, who is also a school employee, now feels vulnerable due to this breach of security and the intrusion into her garden. Following the police report and security review, CCTV cameras have been installed at the lodge.
Lee Childs, New Hall School's Head of Estates, said: “The school is profoundly affected by the loss of this tree. Our Head Gardener is working with landscape specialists to reinstate a similar tree in this area. Sadly, it will not have the stature and impact of the original tree for many years. We hope that the police find the culprits and that they will be made to compensate us for their damage by funding the removal of the extensive tree roots and the establishment of the replacement tree."
Principal, Katherine Jeffrey, said: “The staff and children who have been working in our gardening clubs and Eco Society are upset by the destruction of our tree. The School has been working on a project to plant 400 trees on our site by our 400th anniversary in 2042, with over 200 trees planted in the last 5 years. Many of these were donated from the Woodland Trust and planted by the children themselves.
"This tree featured in our educational project about the horse chestnut tree, so naturally the children are sad at its loss. Trees are vital for eco-diversity and for supporting the wide range of wildlife here, from badgers, rabbits and muntjac deer, to bats and great crested newts. The incident occurred during nesting season, and there were signs of the destruction of birds' nests.
"It is a shock that anyone would come onto private land and do this. I hope that the police investigation is successful. We have also been in conversation with Historic England today, to discuss action to protect the setting of New Hall."
Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 101 or visit Essex.police.uk quoting reference number 42/72509/24. To remain anonymous, Crimestoppers can be contacted via their website or by calling 0800 555 111.
