Dear Supporters, As many of you are aware it's been a very busy start to the year for the Nether Edge Tree Campaign and we are delighted to announce our website is now live! http://savenetheredgetrees.wordpress.com The Nether Edge area has so many beautiful mature trees, 228 of these are currently under threat the majority of which are healthy. If the Council and Amey were willing to use alternative specifications many of these trees could be saved. Contrary to Council rhetoric, saplings do not offer a like for like replacement and it will take decades for these young trees to offer the same benefits in terms of canopy cover and ecosystem services that our mature trees do. Chris Rust and team have been doing an amazing job with Non Violent Direct Action (NVDA). On Monday 6th February Amey started a planned 2 week operation to fell healthy trees on St Ronan's Road and Chippinghouse Rd in Nether Edge. This was the first stage in the onslaught we have been expecting, and if it were successful there would have been a rolling programme across Nether Edge with a large number of our streets being released to Amey by the ITP process last week. All week we had a spectacular turnout by our supporters, in the freezing weather, from 7:30 am to mid afternoon each day, even when all we could do was witness a sad felling. 30-50 people each day and great support from local residents who were angry that they had not been consulted, despite Cllr Lodge's misleading statements in the press about only one resident supporting us. On Day 1 they held up the start of felling for several hours and when all else had failed 7 people spontaneously stepped forward to be arrested, including Cllr Alison Teal. This was unplanned. Two more days of peaceful protest, 2 more people were arrested. We have set up a fund to support them and if you wish to support them in their legal fees and you can donate here http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/chippinghouse-nine-legal-fund The NVDA continued on for days and as Chris said, the number of protestors and their evident determination meant that Amey had to close of the whole highway and have a second team on the spot all day to look after health and safety issues. The police also had a substantial presence all day as they realised without them there people would probably start to protest in the work zone. The whole week was characterised by a magnificent display of one individual after another coming forward to question and challenge, each one with a different issue and all articulate and passionate. There was no aggression or violence, just calm, polite determined resistance by people who were often fitting in an hour between work and childcare etc to join the protest. If you have any time to help with the campaign you can help in the following ways Join our Facebook group Save Netheredge Trees - to be kept informed of news and events Keep an eye open for felling crews. Help putting yellow ribbons on at-risk trees to raise awareness. Distribute leaflets Organise events All skills are useful and any help is appreciated Donate money to help cover the legal costs of those arrested whilst defending trees here http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/chippinghouse-nine-legal-fund Thank you for your ongoing support it is grately appreciated. Best Wishes, Save Nether Edge Trees