In the heart of West Sussex, on the edge of a charming play park, stands a majestic oak tree known as Oakley The Oak. This oak has silently stood for over 100 years, unfurling its branches over the locals as they picnicked and providing a home for diverse wildlife. Beneath its canopy, bats dart; around its base, newts find their home; its roots anchor the pond's bank, and its leaves provide the ideal insect environment for the local bats' feast.

In September 2024, our community successfully resisted initial attempts to fell this monarch of the park, and we have been working constructively alongside Cowfold Parish Council to find alternative solutions. However, on January 13, 2025, following a threatening legislation letter from DirectLine solicitors, the parish council reluctantly gave in and granted DirectLine access to fell the tree.

The oak remains a cornerstone of local biodiversity. Great crested newts, a protected species in the UK, inhabit the oak-enveloped pond, underlining the importance of preserving this area. Many memorable moments have been shared under this very oak - laughter-filled picnics, tranquil moments on the bench watching the bats, children's fascination with the abundant insects.

We, the Cowfold Community, have taken proactive steps by engaging a structural engineer to assess the land and propose solutions. Their recommendation is to install sheet piling as a root barrier - the best way to protect both the oak and the house affected by alleged subsidence.

We must act now to save this irreplaceable centennial oak and the living ecosystem it supports. Make your voice heard by signing this petition and join our community effort through our WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/L4SzHzn8H0746DUoZ0ASKM

Together, we can preserve this vital piece of our natural heritage for future generations.