Jan 29 2009
The Hindley Town Hall chimney tree - Exclusive!
Wigan Council has dispatched a crack team of experts to Hindley with the task of removing a troublesome visitor from the Council Office building.
It is not a local drunk or homeless person, rather a tree that is growing in one of the Town Hall’s chimneys. Though it is not entirely obvious to the casual passer-by, the uppermost branches protruding from the stack are clearly visible from Cross Street and the surrounding area. It is thought that many years ago, a seedling from a nearby tree found its way into the chimney, where it has been growing ever since.
Now, however, the tree is being removed after it was found to be causing structural damage to the building. Local resident Dan was surprised by the news:
I have been living in Hindley many years but have never noticed, or even heard of this. Seems a bit strange really - it’s so obvious. I suppose I just thought it was my eyes playing tricks on me, and what I was actually seeing was a tree growing behind the offices.
Workmen continue to erect scaffolding at the site.
Scaffolding is currently being put in place as the removal operation, which began on the 28th January, continues.
Photo gallery (click a thumbnail to enlarge)
