Farewell to the elms

The centre of Patcham, usually known as ‘the old village', is the junction of the Old London Road and Ladies Mile Road. If this was in France it would have a grand name starting with ‘Place' and, indeed, it does have a name, although not as grand as it might sound in French. It is known as Elm Square. This is because of the two very old elm trees growing side by side right at the junction of the roads. But unfortunately they will not be there much longer as they have succumbed to Dutch elm disease and will be felled before too long. Next Sunday the local community are being invited to collect in the square to celebrate the lives of these old trees. (Seems to me a bit like having the wake before a person has died.) Replacement elms will be planted, we are promised, but it will be along time before the view looks anything like it is now.