A stronghold group of local residents came together this weekend to save an iconic lone veteran Oak, locally known as Ilona, from unnecessary destruction by HS2 and to celebrate her registration with the Woodland Trust on the Ancient Tree Inventory.

Find link to her registration here: https://tinyurl.com/uf8ecbdd 
Please use the above link to sign up to The Woodland Trust and comment on Ilona's page! Please share her registered page far and wide!

As part of the campaign effort, over 200 letters were personally written to HS2’s CEO Mark Thurston, each with their own reason for protecting Ilona and their beloved historical landscape. HS2 are responding to residents to say that, “HS2 are now reviewing their plans”

This weekend some 30 people, including local and former residents, Parish and Bucks councillors, local landowners and farmers, as well as local and national environmental groups, along with the Woodland Trust, gathered in support and to exchange relative historical and personal stories about Ilona; acknowledging her importance to the landscape, , wildlife and local community. The meeting also marked the registration of Ilona with The Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Inventory. .

Sarah Green MP stands vehemently behind the campaign. Her letter of support states:
“I urge HS2 Ltd to find a way to save Ilona……I call on HS2 Ltd to live up to the commitments they have made, including adherence to the mitigation hierarchy, and do all that they can to protect the Chilterns from further harm."

This is the first time that a group of AONB residents have challenged HS2 and their contractors by conducting their own surveys, carrying out research and producing reports; culminating in meetings with HS2 and their subcontractors in order to hold them to account and review their plans.

Catherine Bunting, Green councillor for Great Missenden Council, Parish Councillor and representative of Prestwood Nature Environment group, comments:

“As a local green councillor, I'm just so grateful to the local campaign for standing up for these trees, i find it frustrating that locals need to raise the money themselves and take this fight but I'm also so grateful for all those who got involved and to the local bodies who have got behind it.”

Jack Taylor, Lead Campaigner from the Woodland Trust wrote in support of the event:

‘When new development is planned near to such trees, the planners and ecologists working on those developments must have these trees at the forefront of their mind. If we are to work towards addressing the UK’s current state of nature and climate emergency, then making sure mature trees are retained and protected is fundamental.
That’s why we support the Save Leather Lane campaign – HS2 Ltd must listen to the concerns and make the changes necessary to save Leather Lane’s fantastic population of mature trees!’ -

Bucks Councillor Jane McBean who has been a key support of the campaign adds:
“It is the passion, diligence and tenacity of The Save Leather Lane group that has brought forward alternative design plans, proved the existence of vital bat colonies in the absence of proper HS2 surveys, and galvanised community action to preserve the very fabric off Leather Lane instead of destroying it.”

For more information:
Bucks comes together in a bid to save iconic Oak tree - Bucks Radio:
https://www.bucks.radio/news/local-news/local-people-come-together-in-a-bid-to-save-iconic-oak-tree/ 

Please continue your vital support!
Crowdfunder:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-towards-legal-case-against 

Leather Lane Report July 2021:
http://www.hs2amersham.org.uk/News/2021/Leather%20Lane%20Report%20July%202021%20(v1).pdf 

HS2 - Amersham Action Group:
http://www.hs2amersham.org.uk/index.html?News/LeatherLane.html 

Campaign Film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPkomJTMWIg