Dear Supporters

Have a Heart and join us to commemorate 2 years since the Rustlings Road tree fellings.

On Saturday, 17 November 2018, it will be 2 yrs since 7 mature, structurally-sound, large crown street trees were felled around 4.30am on Rustlings Road, Sheffield. It was not dawn – it was officially night-time. Only 1 tree was saved by campaigners – Ellen - named after the Star journalist Ellen Beardmore, outside No.203 Rustlings Rd.

SORT (Save Our Roadside Trees – formerly Save Our Rustlings Trees), part of STAG (Sheffield Tree Action Groups) is once more asking you to have a heart and join us in commemoration.

As Jarvis Cocker was reported as saying in the Sheffield Star on 7 April 2018, and also in the nationals: “Chopping down trees at 4am is a little bit surreptitious – you’re obviously not sure if what you are doing is right”.

The felling of the Rustlings street trees harmed many people – including the two pensioners who were arrested, detained in their nightwear, and dragged over the coals, awaiting court proceedings that were dropped on the day. Many people understood the implications for losing structurally-sound street trees in their area. The 11 street trees on Rustlings Road and their fate, had come to symbolise the 17,500 (or even 18,000) that were on the felling ‘list’ for Sheffield. So far, over 5,500+ have been felled. Often the word ‘replacement’ is used to justify these fellings. Such a word is at best naïve: a sapling is not a replacement for a mature, structurally-sound street tree and its vast benefits, including its eco-system benefits.

None of the already-paid for 14 alternative solutions – or more accurately alternative engineering specifications that should have been drafted - in the £2.2bn Streets Ahead project, being delivered by Amey, for Sheffield City Council, had been implemented to retain these trees and there is sparse evidence of their use anywhere else in the city to retain street trees.

Two mobility scooters had been able to pass side by side, on the pathway, by felled trees. The fellings were not about accessibility – but seeming spite. A simple case of putting profit before people. Many Sheffielders were shocked and sickened to suddenly realise that their Labour council was seemingly backing and facilitating a private company in its actions.

It was clear that the powers that be, thought they could cut off the head of the Sheffield street campaign, by felling the Rustlings Road trees.

As with all hubris, the outcome was very different and the campaign put down even more roots.

Two years after the felling of the Rustlings Rd trees, you are invited to have a heart and come and remember with us in a candle light/torch walk.

Date: 17.11.18 Time: 4.15pm

Rendezvous: Ellen the Tree – outside No. 203 Rustlings Rd & walk to Endcliffe Park in silence, to where Delilah the Tree once stood.

Bring your good hearts with you – wear them on your sleeve if you like.

As always, THANK YOU protectors & defenders & campaigners for all of your hard work, wherever you are. It is all seen and appreciated. Nature is, by definition, voiceless...and so we shall continue to make sure we speak for her, at every opportunity.

In Solidarity
SORT
(Representing 18,300 signatories)

The best way to keep up to date, is on the STAG Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/

Read SORT Letter 1, July 2015, presented to all Cllrs before Full Council ‘debate’ of the SORT petition: https://bit.ly/2k7knvu

Read SORT Letter 2, Jan 2016, presented to all Cllrs before Full Council ‘debate’ of the SNET petition: https://bit.ly/2L5AQga