URGENT UPDATE They are trying to cut the tree down now.  We now only have minutes to save the tree. An anonymous caller has let us know (twice) that they believe the tree is scheduled for felling this weekend, over the Bank holiday. Now they have fenced the tree off and the police are they. However we have people under the tree, and children so they cant cut it down now. Please help.
Those members of the community who have been part of consultations with the developer, Berkeley Homes, and the Council over many years feel saddened and find it difficult to believe such a provocative (and secretive) action may be planned whilst discussions are still taking place.
 
What can you do  to help?
 
·      PLEASE text us on 07925 152278 or email us tree@thehappymantree.org with your details (mobile and email ideally) so we can share information and plans that have the best chance of saving the tree. We also have a website going live by the end of today (19th) where you can enter your details:-  www.thehappymantree.org

·      COME TO THE TREE NOW
 
·      JOIN the community actions which are being planned, and start your own.
 
·      WRITE  Mr Justin Tibaldi, Managing Director of Berkeley Homes,  at justin.tibaldi@berkeleygroup.co.uk
 Here is suggested text you might want to use. Please feel free to adapt or write your own. (As a guide we are seeking to maintain dialogue in all our communications)
 
Mr Justin Tibaldi
Managing Director
Berkeley Homes (Capital)
Berkeley House
19 Portsmouth Road
Cobham
Surrey
KT11 1JG
 
Dear Mr Justin Tibaldi
 
Re: ‘The Happy Man Tree’
 
I understand that your organisation the  Berkeley Group are planning to fell the 150 year old ancient plane tree known as ‘The Happy Man Tree’ as part of your development on the Woodberry Down Estate London. I am writing to ask you to intervene and stop any plans to cut it down.
 
Together with thousands of others in the community, I am incredibly upset about the idea of losing the tree. Further, community leaders feel that their views and feelings have not been taken into account in the decision making process. Up until now the community have felt that the partnership with yourself has been working. But there is a real danger that if the tree is cut down, this relationship will be very badly damaged. Trust will disappear and cooperation may be reduced.  This is likely to have real  financial and reputational repercussions for the remainder of the regeneration project and beyond. It is in the interest of everybody to seek a different design solution that allows the tree to stay for the rest of its natural life.
 
In summary, please stop all plans to cut down the tree, and please re engage in dialogue with the community.
 
I do hope that you listen to me and thousands like me who are trying to save the life of ‘The happy Man Tree’
 
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter
 
Regards
 
 
 
·      TWEET the following (or something similar) to the leader of Hackney Council  @PhilipGlanville and the developers @BerkeleyGroupUK
‘Thousands have signed the Happy Man Tree petition. It is clear. We have not agreed to the felling of this tree. If you do this against the will of he community, there will be a break down of community relations, costly politically and financially #noticethistree @happymantree
 
·      Please continue to SHARE this petition to help us get to 20,000 signatures and we will present it to the Council and Berkeley Homes before the weekend.