25 January 2012
Work will begin on the planned renovation of the Holy Trinity war memorial shelter from 6 February 2012.
To allow the work to take place a western red cedar will be removed and a new tree will be planted within the churchyard at the same time. The wood from the red cedar is intended to be re-used in a memorial art project in Mill Road cemetery.
All options were explored by the council to undertake the renovation work whilst still retaining the red cedar, but unfortunately none of the options were possible.
The removal of the tree follows an extensive consultation process undertaken by the council and following the formal approval of the Deputy Chancellor of the Consistory Court on behalf of the church authorities.
Rod Cantrill, Cambridge City Council’s Executive Councillor for Arts, Sports and Public Places, commented: “I am delighted that we are now able to commence work on the repairs to the war memorial shelter and restore it to its former glory.
“Whilst we have looked at all reasonable ways of retaining the western red cedar tree it has not proved possible to do so without compromising the repairs that are needed to the shelter. A new replacement tree is being planted in the churchyard in a more suitable location, away from the war memorial shelter.”
The shelter will be closed whilst the repairs are being undertaken. The repairs contract is planned for completion by late spring 2012. The repairs are being undertaken in partnership with and grant aided by Cambridge City Council, the War Memorials Trust, English Heritage and the Wolfson Foundation.
