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Trees vandalised in mystery attack
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| Anne and Ray Spencer with the damaged trees |
AN ELDERLY couple were shocked to return from a trip to Australia to find their garden trees stripped of their foliage.
Anne and Ray Spencer from St Peter Street, Marlow, had been visiting their daughter in Sydney for a month.
On Tuesday they arrived back at Heathrow and made their way home, arriving shortly before 7am.
Anne, 71, said: "We sat down to have a cup of tea and some breakfast and I looked out the window and thought, 'Something's wrong out there'."
The branches and leaves of five leylandii-type trees in their back garden had been completely sawn off, leaving only bare trunks.
Even more strangely the back gate to their garden was locked, and there was no sign of any of the branches or leaves on the ground.
Ray, 73, said: "It's complete mystery. All I can think of is that someone had a ladder against the wall, cut them off and pulled them into the path behind the house.
"It was almost like magic - like Doctor Who had been down and made them all just disappear."
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| The damage |
The couple called the police to report the incident. Later on, they checked their email to find one from their next door neighbour, who claimed to have seen a man in their garden.
Anne said: "My next door neighbour said that she and her husband saw a man cutting the branches off.
"The gate was locked, but you could go over with a ladder."
She went on to say that the trees were now completely ruined: "I don't think they've a chance in hell of living. They haven't got a bit of green on them.
"My guesstimate is that it will cost around £500 to clear the ground. To plant new trees and to buy them I would have thought in the region of £1,500."
11:09am Wednesday 20th August 2008
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CommentPosted by: Elmo, High Wycombe on 11:20am Wed 20 Aug 08
If they plant Leylandii that close to neighbours window they deserve everything they get. The sooner this plant is banned for the anti-social view blocker that it is, the better.
If they plant Leylandii that close to neighbours window they deserve everything they get. The sooner this plant is banned for the anti-social view blocker that it is, the better.
Posted by: Elmo, High Wycombe on 11:30am Wed 20 Aug 08
Oh and by the way, thanks to the BFP for showing any potential house breakers where they may find a ladder to help with an evenings work. See photo entitled 'The damage'.
Oh and by the way, thanks to the BFP for showing any potential house breakers where they may find a ladder to help with an evenings work. See photo entitled 'The damage'.
Posted by: influxuk, terriers on 11:47am Wed 20 Aug 08
er...........neighbu
rs reported seeing "man cutting dowen the branches" - me thinks the neighbours may be lying!!! why else would someone do this than as revenge for blocking their view from those windows-
er...........neighbu
rs reported seeing "man cutting dowen the branches" - me thinks the neighbours may be lying!!! why else would someone do this than as revenge for blocking their view from those windows-
Posted by: OneArmJack on 11:50am Wed 20 Aug 08
I don't think it's going to take Inspector Morse to work out who was responsible for this!!
I don't think it's going to take Inspector Morse to work out who was responsible for this!!
Posted by: beedee, high wycombe on 11:54am Wed 20 Aug 08
Why didn't the neighours ask questions if they knew the couple were away? All seems a bit fishy!
Why didn't the neighours ask questions if they knew the couple were away? All seems a bit fishy!
Posted by: Malc London, Gerrards Cross on 12:09pm Wed 20 Aug 08
I agree with Elmo, they should never have let those trees grow so high. Totally irresponsible and good job they were cut down.
I agree with Elmo, they should never have let those trees grow so high. Totally irresponsible and good job they were cut down.
Posted by: Red Fred, in a green shed on 12:17pm Wed 20 Aug 08
[quote]I don't think it's going to take Inspector Morse to work out who was responsible for this!![/quote]
Of course it would'nt, but if they send the good old plastic police down there all we will get is another 'community initiative'.
I don't think it's going to take Inspector Morse to work out who was responsible for this!!
Of course it would'nt, but if they send the good old plastic police down there all we will get is another 'community initiative'.
Posted by: Molar Man, bottom row , fifth right on 12:17pm Wed 20 Aug 08
Yes I must admit I came to the same conclusion as all the above. I think the man the neighbours saw was the main they paid to cut the trees! No wonder too, it must have been as dark as West Wycombe caves in that house.
Yes I must admit I came to the same conclusion as all the above. I think the man the neighbours saw was the main they paid to cut the trees! No wonder too, it must have been as dark as West Wycombe caves in that house.
Posted by: Ivor on 12:23pm Wed 20 Aug 08
Tall conifers are noting but a nuisance. I’ll bet the neighbours are relived they are gone!
My only question is why bother to take all the leaves away as surely it was have been easier to just use a chainsaw to cut them down and leave them where they fell?
[bold]Have you read Ivor’s blog today?[/bold] Click on the [bold]“Opinion”[/bold] link on the menu on the left then click on [bold]“Readers Blogs”[/bold].
Tall conifers are noting but a nuisance. I’ll bet the neighbours are relived they are gone!
My only question is why bother to take all the leaves away as surely it was have been easier to just use a chainsaw to cut them down and leave them where they fell?
Have you read Ivor’s blog today? Click on the
“Opinion” link on the menu on the left then click on
“Readers Blogs”.
Posted by: Elmo, High Wycombe on 12:25pm Wed 20 Aug 08
Now that wouldn't be very neighbourly, would it?
Now that wouldn't be very neighbourly, would it?
Posted by: Mandy on 12:46pm Wed 20 Aug 08
[quote][bold]Ivor[/bold] wrote:
Tall conifers are noting but a nuisance. I’ll bet the neighbours are relived they are gone! My only question is why bother to take all the leaves away as surely it was have been easier to just use a chainsaw to cut them down and leave them where they fell? [bold]Have you read Ivor’s blog today?[/bold] Click on the [bold]“Opinion”[/bold] link on the menu on the left then click on [bold]“Readers Blogs”[/bold].[/quote] Perhaps they neighbour wants to hang some bunting up to celebrate the light!!
Ivor wrote:
Tall conifers are noting but a nuisance. I’ll bet the neighbours are relived they are gone! My only question is why bother to take all the leaves away as surely it was have been easier to just use a chainsaw to cut them down and leave them where they fell? Have you read Ivor’s blog today? Click on the “Opinion” link on the menu on the left then click on “Readers Blogs”.
Perhaps they neighbour wants to hang some bunting up to celebrate the light!!
Posted by: Merge in Turn on 12:47pm Wed 20 Aug 08
Ivor - they didn't want to leaf any evidence that wood have been used fir evidence to catch them.
Ivor - they didn't want to leaf any evidence that wood have been used fir evidence to catch them.
Posted by: influxuk, terriers on 1:06pm Wed 20 Aug 08
HA HA LOOK AT THE TOP PHOTO!!!
the only trees cut were the ones at the window - come on BFP jesus christ
what jokers the neighbours "we saw a man cutting them"
ha ha ha
the more i think about this story the more funny it is
HA HA LOOK AT THE TOP PHOTO!!!
the only trees cut were the ones at the window - come on BFP jesus christ
what jokers the neighbours "we saw a man cutting them"
ha ha ha
the more i think about this story the more funny it is
Posted by: George - Wycombe on 1:14pm Wed 20 Aug 08
It is obvious that when the trees were first planted no consideration was given to the neighbours, ASBO's should be issued for unconsiderate neighbours, a spell inside would deter others from depriving neighbours of their 'right to light' as laid down by Parliamentary law.
It is obvious that when the trees were first planted no consideration was given to the neighbours, ASBO's should be issued for unconsiderate neighbours, a spell inside would deter others from depriving neighbours of their 'right to light' as laid down by Parliamentary law.
Posted by: erm, ermsville on 1:17pm Wed 20 Aug 08
[quote]Why didn't the neighours ask questions if they knew the couple were away?[/quote]
If I had been the neighbours I wouldn't have asked any questions, I would have been delighted.
Besides you can't ask questions of a man that doesn't exist
Why didn't the neighours ask questions if they knew the couple were away?
If I had been the neighbours I wouldn't have asked any questions, I would have been delighted.
Besides you can't ask questions of a man that doesn't exist
Posted by: local, bucks on 1:58pm Wed 20 Aug 08
[quote][bold]OneArmJack[/bold] wrote:
I don't think it's going to take Inspector Morse to work out who was responsible for this!![/quote] No, I dont think Inspector Morse is needed....its possibly a case for "Special Branch!" though.
OneArmJack wrote:
I don't think it's going to take Inspector Morse to work out who was responsible for this!!
No, I dont think Inspector Morse is needed....its possibly a case for "Special Branch!" though.
Posted by: Mutley, High Wycombe on 2:29pm Wed 20 Aug 08
[quote]"My guesstimate is that it will cost around £500 to clear the ground. To plant new trees and to buy them I would have thought in the region of £1,500."[/quote]
That's what will go in the insurance claim no doubt. Actual cost, say a couple of hundred to grind the old roots out, thirty quid for a bit of soil and maybe another twenty for the five "leylandii-type" trees. Total £250 max.
My advice - plant a nice shrub instead.
Actually, I might be able to find some work for the "mystery" perpetrator.
"My guesstimate is that it will cost around £500 to clear the ground. To plant new trees and to buy them I would have thought in the region of £1,500."
That's what will go in the insurance claim no doubt. Actual cost, say a couple of hundred to grind the old roots out, thirty quid for a bit of soil and maybe another twenty for the five "leylandii-type" trees. Total £250 max.
My advice - plant a nice shrub instead.
Actually, I might be able to find some work for the "mystery" perpetrator.
Posted by: ajb100, Wycombe on 3:26pm Wed 20 Aug 08
what a tree-mendous bit of reporting this is by the bfp
what a tree-mendous bit of reporting this is by the bfp
Posted by: maverick, HW on 4:18pm Wed 20 Aug 08
bet they are glad to have found their missing ladders.
Judging by the photo they must have been hidden by the hedges as they seem to have grown very close to the brick wall !!
bet they are glad to have found their missing ladders.
Judging by the photo they must have been hidden by the hedges as they seem to have grown very close to the brick wall !!
Posted by: Spiderpig, Booker on 4:20pm Wed 20 Aug 08
I saw Ray Mears in Marlow last week...
I saw Ray Mears in Marlow last week...
Posted by: Bean, the pub on 5:29pm Wed 20 Aug 08
They could always submit planning permission for an outdoor pole-dancing venue... Although the splinters might be show-stopper...
They could always submit planning permission for an outdoor pole-dancing venue... Although the splinters might be show-stopper...
Posted by: R of Wycombe, High Wycombe on 6:20pm Wed 20 Aug 08
I'm sure a bit of [bold]digging[/bold] will [bold]root[/bold] out the culprit. At this time the police are [bold]stumped[/bold]. Surely they should be able to [bold]twig[/bold] what has happened. Even if the offender is caught, i'm sure he will only be given a slap on the wrist and asked to turn over a new [bold]leaf[/bold].
I'm sure a bit of
digging will
root out the culprit. At this time the police are
stumped. Surely they should be able to
twig what has happened. Even if the offender is caught, i'm sure he will only be given a slap on the wrist and asked to turn over a new
leaf.
Posted by: spotty, Holmer Green on 11:34pm Wed 20 Aug 08
OMG! That is the funniest thing I have read on here ever! Good on the neighbours for taking their revenge on rubbish neighbours who let those trees grow to that height. Love the pole dancing comment too - truly genius!
OMG! That is the funniest thing I have read on here ever! Good on the neighbours for taking their revenge on rubbish neighbours who let those trees grow to that height. Love the pole dancing comment too - truly genius!
Posted by: George - Wycombe on 11:45pm Wed 20 Aug 08
Under the photo the BFP have printed "The Damage", I would call it "An Improvement".
It must have taken some moving to get rid of the greenery, how many trips did a lorry make to transport it?
One ex Marlow resident has/had FOUR wheely bins, another BFP story with NO follow up reporting.
Under the photo the BFP have printed "The Damage", I would call it "An Improvement".
It must have taken some moving to get rid of the greenery, how many trips did a lorry make to transport it?
One ex Marlow resident has/had FOUR wheely bins, another BFP story with NO follow up reporting.
Posted by: smokey, high wycombe on 8:35am Thu 21 Aug 08
I am actually insensed at the ageism shown by the BFP in describing this couple as" elderly"
Why did you have to do that exactly? Going on that would you describe a 50 year old as a "middle aged ...." Or would you describe a 20 year old as a "young...2
STOP with the cheap shoddy journalism BFP - get some proper writers in please.
I am actually insensed at the ageism shown by the BFP in describing this couple as" elderly"
Why did you have to do that exactly? Going on that would you describe a 50 year old as a "middle aged ...." Or would you describe a 20 year old as a "young...2
STOP with the cheap shoddy journalism BFP - get some proper writers in please.
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