We won! We stopped the chop!
Our incredible community victory has saved an urban green space, including four mature trees which is home to wildlife for future generations to enjoy.
Let's have a quick recap on how we got here...
Since Newark and Sherwood District Council (NSDC) had voted to chop the trees and bulldoze the green space in October, residents had spent weeks guarding the site round-the-clock to prevent work from starting. Our second petition was set up and we hosted family picnics, candlelight vigils and large peaceful protests under the trees at risk calling on NSDC to stop the chop and protect our site. We also launched a social media campaign and community postcard campaign to spread the word far and wide!
First, we were ignored
However, on 11 November - Armistice Day - council contractors barricaded them in and police warned that anyone staying with the trees risked arrest. Despite most campaigners leaving the site, Jo (86) and four other 'Stop the Chop' protesters stood firm and were quickly dubbed ‘The Fab 5’ by supporters beyond the barricades.
Jo told police that they would have to arrest her and that she would not leave the condemned space and four trees because she felt passionate about saving the environment, not destroying it. She spent 12 hours on the site in freezing November weather, despite having left the house that morning not wearing a coat. She insisted that she was prepared to stay as long as she could to stop the trees from being chopped down.
Jo finally left to rapturous applause from supporters at nightfall, leaving four other protesters - cancer survivor Darrell Pointing, 76, grannies Pam Ball, 60, and Wendy Patterson, 64, and Ali Carter, 53 - onsite until the next day when the landowner and the council suddenly halted work as tree surgeons with chainsaws prepared to chop the trees.
This incredible U-turn was said to have been inspired by the brave actions of Jo and the others. We received tons of local and national media coverage!
Petition hand in
Building on this incredible momentum, last Wednesday (4 November) we handed in our petition to NSDC's Castle House, along with an envelope of the Sycamore trees' seeds and a letter from the trees asking for their legacy to continue. We had a huge crowd chanting 'FREE THE TREES' as local children handed in our total 6,081 signatures. It was a real magical community moment which we aired live via Facebook. You can watch it here.
Just twenty minutes after handing in the petition, NSDC formally voted to preserve the trees and Library Garden for good at an Extraordinary Council Meeting. Newark residents and visitors are in huge relief from the outcome. It's been such an emotional rollercoaster for our community, but team spirit, love and passion prevailed.
THANK YOU
This victory has only been possible with your support. Thank you for signing our petition, writing emails and letters to Cllrs, using social media to spread the word, attending peaceful protests, donating hot beverages to supporters, the small businesses who have contributed and artists and children who used their creative skills to support the campaign. We'll be planning on hosting an exciting exhibition in 2022 to showcase this powerful community effort!
There's still an important role for you to play...
As Newark’s appetite grows for protecting and enhancing green spaces in Newark, there will be ongoing costs - including giving residents a say on the future management of our Library Garden. Working under so much pressure and within such a short timeframe, there are some key actions we’ve not yet been able to achieve, but we feel urgent needs to happen next:
🔎 Commission a full independent investigation into the deal and actions of NSDC concerning this project. We believe it is important for the people of Newark that full transparency and accountability is sought.
💰 Commission a forensic financial audit in relation to this deal.
⚖️ Covering the cost of environmentally-focused legal advice.
👪 Assist with the costs of running community engagement events.
🦇 Hiring ecological surveys for future sites at risk.
🖨️ Printing costs for future campaigns and information sheets.
🦋 Help Protect Newark's Green Spaces evolve and access vital skills and services. To help achieve this, we've set up a crowdfunder.
Every donation, however small, will enable us to grow and deliver on Newark’s concerns and passion for protecting future sites at threat and enhancing sites in neglect.
