🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <AEB33B6A9668D1A60@tygh.demon.co.uk>,
geoff@tygh.demon.co.uk (Geoff Dellow) wrote:
>
>The report from the Department of the environment is awaited,  ( to refuse
>to lift the tree protection orders on theBeeches)no sign of when. They
>could be waiting to see which way the wind is blowing  (! ) as public
>opinion from people from all walks of life is definitely for keeping the
>Beeches.
>
>In spite of gales the Beeches are showing themselves very fit and
>unyielding ! No branches down confirming daily that the decision that they
>are "dangerous" is a gross injustice.
>
>*           *           *           *           *           *           *  
>
>FOR THOSE WITH ACCESS TO BBC 1 :-
>Furthermore a brief documentary on the Beeches is scheduled on Countryfile
>for this Sunday 17th Nov, at 12.00 a. m. on BBC 1, or failing this, the
>following week.
>*           *           *           *           *           *           *  

An update : -

A Cautionary tale on TV Coverage.

The programme on Countryfile that went out  on November 17th was changed at
the last minute to one that concentrated on dangerous trees which provoked
the attached response from me to "Points of View" which goes out on BBC on
Wed Evenings.

The Report on the Rusland Beeches will now go out on Countryfile this
Sunday December 1st at 12.00 a.m. on BBC1

*         *         *         *         *         *

Points of View

I am deeply disturbed by the deliberately sensational coverage and
hypocrisy that was expressed by John Craven :-

�In this National Tree Week, Countryfile has a special report.�

And then proceeds to frighten everyone with horror stories about trees
falling on cars and houses in the middle of severe gales, the first when we
are told 5 million trees came down in January and February 1990, on the
night of November 5th.

To put this in context National Tree Week (November 20 - December 1 )
organised by The Tree Council proposes ( in its leaflet ): - 

�Trees make a significant contribution to the nation�s health in a variety
of ways - they look good and they make us feel good too. They help us
physically by reducing pollution and mentally by lowering our stress
levels. The more trees we have, the healthier our environment. .  .  .  .�

Countryfile by contrast is determined to emphasise how dangerous trees can
be with tales of someone�s fight for compensation because of severe
disablement caused by a tree falling in a storm, and a baby having a tree
fall onto top of the room in which it was sleeping;  ending with the plea
to �Please, please look at the trees� because we gather they may fall on us
at any minute.

We are exhorted to prevent �avoidable accidents�  by human foresight.

What kind of world do we wish to live in? Does man presume to protect
himself against every conceivable hazard and all kinds of weather. What
person would walk through Epping Forest, climb up a precipice, walk up Sca
Fell or swim across the channel in the middle of a gale? Let's keep a sense
of proportion and balance the enjoyment against the potential risks.

There are always two sides to the story, man could alternately show nature
some respect and reduce the risk of injury by staying in a safe place in
the middle of a storm. Ships stay in port to avoid the sea, cars should at
times stay in the garage to avoid falling trees.

Can we have programmes that encourage us to appreciate the beauty and at
the same time show respect for the hazards of nature?

Dr Geoff Dellow
Save the Rusland Beeches Campaign