Against all the odds ...

Three years ago, this was a magnificent chestnut tree.  It stands at the end of our road and I thought IR would do justice to its shape against the buildings (see extra).  

Not long afterwards an attempt was made by an insurance company to have it cut down and removed, fearing damage to nearby buildings.  There was some dispute about this and a group of residents camped out for months in all weathers until an agreement was reached.  The tree was saved, but looks nothing like its former self.  Especially now in Winter.

But it’s still alive and come Summer will be full of leaf and blossom. (See extra from last year). Not the old tree, but a new tree.

It reminds me of the story of Blip - and how a passionate group of people got together and saved a wonderful asset from destruction.