Sibford Scene Archive

(June 2005 edition of the Sibford Scene)

I read with some dismay Suzy Straw’s article entitled “Save our Trees.” Her article appears to be a thinly veiled criticism of the fact that the Friends School at Sibford Ferris had to fell some trees recently. As an old scholar and former member of staff, I feel her article requires a factual response.

I fully support every attempt to save mature trees, but I have to say that in general terms, tree husbandry in the general Sibford area has been very positive, and from my schoolboy days, I can still pinpoint trees that have survived, that I used to climb back in the early 1950s. The School itself has an excellent record of looking after its mature trees, which didn’t just happen.

When the Hill complex was opened in 1930, it was a bare windswept place. The then headmaster’s wife, Jessie Johnstone, carried out most of the planning and planting of the now mature trees which adorn the place. The meticulous care of the School Campus has continued ever since, and its beauty and wellbeing is a credit to the current groundstaff as the inheritors.

It is also a fact that there have probably been less than twenty trees that have had to be felled in the last twenty years. I myself can share some satisfaction to note that in the time I worked there as Estate Manager, I was involved with planting over 500 hundred trees which have matured and are there for all to see. In the mid eighties the School also planted a large conservation area at the back of the Manor House, which covered a derelict landfill site. It is now an area of great beauty. In recent years, further extensive tree planting as taken place to enhance the new buildings. I also know that all the developments that have taken place have been carried out with great care to avoid destroying the environment. It is also School policy to plant a tree for every child who enters the School.

The felled trees in question were done out of necessity. One of the Beeches had fallen over in a storm, and the mature tree next to it had to be felled, along with some smaller species because they were diseased. The School uses the expertise of one of the foremost authorities on trees in the Country, who I introduced to Sibford. Trees do have their ‘sell-by date’ like any other living organism on our planet.

Incidentally, I think I am correct in mentioning that the only surviving Elm in the area is the one at the Elm crossroads, which was planted in 1982 when the original 400 year Elm tree succumbed to Dutch Elm disease. It is of course, in the Elm garden, created by Old Scholars of Sibford School.

Mike Finch

While I support Suzy Straw’s plea for us to save as many of our mature and beautiful trees as possible, I am responding to her letter in the June edition of Sibford Scene, as I was responsible – and still feel miserable about it – for the felling of our wonderful beech last Autumn.

For nearly a year I lived with the words of the Cherwell District Council tree specialist ringing in my ears (“Beech trees can just fall with no warning”; “If I lived over there, I would move to a tent to the far end of the garden” etc.,) whilst I tried to find someone to reassure me that the tree would not be a hazard to the families living opposite Malvern House.

The beech, which was growing on the edge of a wall and had only 50% of the normal space for its roots, had apparently been planted as part of a hedge and then allowed to mature into its extraordinary shape. We miss the beautiful canopied arch of the beech over Main Street, Sibford Ferris as much as anyone and we certainly miss the privacy it provided.

Our majestic lime tree, however, similarly situated in a wall, will remain, as we are told it is more secure, and if it did fall, it would probably land on our house or in Arnold and Ina’s wild flower meadow – not quite such a worry as the consequences of the beech falling on the houses opposite.

One of the specialists whose advice we sought, explained that the beech and the lime were fine trees for a meadow, but with the meadow long gone and the building in the village increasing at such an extraordinary rate, it is best to plant trees more suited to smaller garden spaces.

Jane Woolfenden

On a very hot day, a number of determined individuals of all ages participated in the Fun Run over a course starting by the Cricket Pavilion in Sibford School, passing through Grounds Farm, watched by some interested sheep, down Hillbottom, over the stream (very little mud this year!), to pick up the track leading to Swalcliffe Grange, climbing up the Gated Road and left turn towards Folly Field, descending to Main Street for 50 yards and a loft turn to Small House and back into Sibford School for the final push for the line.

First home was Sibford Gower “regular runner”, Paul Hobson; in seventh place came the first lady, Megan Gilkes who were presented with their trophies, kindly donated by Terry Young. All the runners received a medal for their efforts which were handed over by our two of the junior runners, Lydia Kitchen and Naomi Spencer, who had earlier won the Girl’s run, finishing only yards behind the Boy’s winner Clinton Brown.

Everyone, whilst cxhausted by their efforts, pledged to return in 2006 when it is hoped that many more from the local community will take part in the event. For some it was an opportnity to conclude their training prior to taking part in “The Race for Life”, whilst for others it was a first occasion to savour the unique scenery of the Sibford Fun Run.

Our grateful thanks are extended to the Headmaster of Sibford School, Michael Goodwin, the Business Manager, Peter Robinson and Jane & Percy Turner for the use of the facilities and preparation of the course. To Minuteman Press, Banbury, for the printing of direction markers and race numbers, as well as sponsorship of the medals, to Keith Hicks for starting the race and providing the commentary, to the Gilkes, Lamb & Taylor Families for allowing us to run over their land, to the Administrators, Ginny Bennett & Muriel Chandler and our first class team of Course Marshals, Graydon Kitchen, Joanna Gilkes, Paul Saunders and Mike Clarke. Come and join in the fun in 2006.