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Barkston’s Ash disease fears
FEARS are growing that a historic landmark tree at the centre of Barkston Ash could fall victim to the spread of a UK-wide disease.
Ash dieback disease, which has swept through the country in the past six weeks, has seen more than 100,000 trees destroyed in that time.
Experts have said it may be too late to stop the spread of the fungal infection.
Residents in the village, which takes its name from the ash tree which marks the entrance to the village, are now keeping an eye out for the disease.
The iconic tree has been a mainstay in the area for over 150 years. Many have also claimed that the tree marks the exact centre of Yorkshire.
Guy Woolley, a former parish councillor in Barkston Ash, said that the tree had been replaced with a new one following some debate about five years ago.
Mr Woolley added that it was hoped the new tree would live to be the same age as its predecessor.
The village also has a pub called the Ash Tree, and Mr Woolley added that the landmark would be sorely missed if it fell victim to the disease.
He said: “I think it’s a big concern. We hope it (dieback disease) won’t come here but I’m sure there will be an outcry if it does.
“It’s something the parish council I’m sure will be keeping an eye on. It’s the emblem of the village.”
“Our experience is that the tree is significant for the village. It forms the name of the village. When we replaced it there was quite strong feeling about it.”
Mr Woolley said the tree had great historical significance and said the seniors of Barkston Ash used to meet under the tree.
While the honour of which village marks the very centre of Yorkshire has traditionally been claimed by Barkston Ash, controversy was sparked earlier this year when the Ordnance Survey used its detailed records of the county’s boundary and the help of a computer programme to come up with a field in the village of Hessay as the centre of Yorkshire.
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Weather for Selby
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 6 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: North west
