Ancient tree struck by lightning
STAFF and pupils at a west Norfolk school which was struck by lightning have told how they feared they would lose a much-loved, 400-year-old tree.
STAFF and pupils at a west Norfolk school which was struck by lightning have told how they feared they would lose a much-loved, 400-year-old tree.
Riddlesworth Hall School, near Diss, is situated in vast grounds, the focal point of which is a huge cedar tree. This and the school building itself was struck by lightning during a storm on June 22.
Although nobody was hurt, the crown of the tree, which was 35ft, weighed 15 tonnes and made up about one third of the whole thing, was struck. After being assessed by a tree surgeon and a fearful few days where it looked as if the entire might have to be felled, the crown was removed.
Wife of the school headmaster, Sally Cockrane, said: “In the afternoon, at about 3pm, we had an almighty storm and lost our entire internet and telephone lines for about 10 days because the hall was stuck by lightning.
You may also want to watch:
“There was an incredible bang and fizzing and then we looked out of the window and bark was flying off. It was all quite dramatic and quite terrifying. The next day we had the first of four tree surgeons up the tree.
“The first priority was to make the tree safe but with an idea of conservation and preservation, it's just an integral part of Riddlesworth and everybody holds it in great regard. To lose it would have been devastating.”
Most Read
- 1 Man charged with supplying Class A drugs in Thetford
- 2 Schools in Norfolk closed or partially shut due to coronavirus
- 3 Viking themed children's play area confirmed at town's historic park
- 4 Illegal puppy farm warning as one in ten plan to buy dog for Christmas
- 5 'Disgusting' - councillor slams culprits for defecating on footpaths and in front gardens
- 6 Shoppers support market town traders as second lockdown lifts
- 7 Stephen Fry voices heart-warming animation of rescued blind horse
- 8 Dozens of new Covid marshals to become 'the eyes and ears of the districts'
- 9 Arrest after man found with wooden baton and £30,000 in cash
- 10 Fresh calls for Norfolk to move to tier one ahead of key Commons vote
The felled crown will now be turned into benches and a totem pole reflecting projects undertaken by key stage one and two children. All wood chippings have been spread around the school.
