Tree of hope

Luke Hamer

15 May 2008

A GROUP set up to conserve and improve Acocks Green has stepped in to help a pub landlord make his Green pub even greener after a spate of unusual tree thefts.
Acocks Green Focus Group bought The Inn on the Green a red flowering hawthorn tree after vandals had uprooted six trees from the pub's front garden in recent months.
Owner Brendon Daly took over the eatery three years ago and refurbished the place to make it more appealing. But he has become frustrated by a minority who are spoiling his efforts.
He said: "It is a real shame that there are a few mindless idiots in Acocks Green who do not want The Green to change.
"Altogether we have had six trees pulled out and, of those, lost three. But we will persist in doing our part to help Acocks Green change for the better."
Julia Larden, chair of Acocks Green Focus Group, said the group was concerned when it heard about Mr Daly's plight and wanted to see more trees planted.
"The Inn on the Green is a very central focal point in Acocks Green.
"It hasn’t looked so good in years, and Brendon has been very supportive to local groups, and the council, in their efforts to improve Acocks Green so, the Focus Group voted to buy him a new tree," she said.
The Focus Group have set up a survey on their website for ideas on how to improve the pub which can be found at www.acocksgreenfocusgroup.org.uk.

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