tree - mendous

This magnificent tree is a copper beech.  It stands at the entrance to the High Street (right handside of frame - follow the car.  To the left is countryside and the Northampton Road). 

The building used to be the British Legion.  It's now a community owned pub.

Behind the tree is a raised area of ground which was a gun emplacement during the English Civil War.  Parliamentary forces had their cannon facing up the Northampton Road waiting for the Royalist Army.

One of the parliamentarian soldiers stationed here was John Bunyan (author of The Pilgrim's Progress).  

By all accounts it was a battle that went to extra time.  Final result; Newport Pagnell 1 - Royalists 0.

Here endeth the lesson for today.

Better large.