Clean-up continues at Christian conference centre near Oswestry after storm knocks down more than 40 trees

A clean-up progress is on-going at the Quinta Centre near Oswestry after the powerful storm in December caused significant damage and left the site without power for three days while 100 guests were staying. 

The Christian conference centre, which has been running near Weston Rhyn since 1985, welcomes groups that are generally church families, student or youth groups and schools for a "retreat and revitalisation".

The Quinta Centre lost a total of 42 trees as a result of Storm Darragh, including a 150-year-old evergreen oak that is referred to as the 'broccoli tree'. One tree also fell at the front entrance of the centre, destroying a sign and temporarily blocking the driveway. 

Assistant manager Andrew McKay said the centre is planning to re-plant some trees, but work to clear the damage to the site is ongoing.

He said: "We are grateful that nobody was hurt during the storm, and there was only minor damage to buildings. Sadly though, we lost in the region of 40 trees across the estate. One tree fell at the front entrance, destroying our sign and temporarily blocking the drive. 

"Thankfully our team were able to respond quickly to get it cleared. The centre was also without power for three days. We had around 100 guests onsite over that weekend. 

"They carried on with their programme of teaching and praying together by torchlight, when necessary. They patiently queued to heat their meals in a microwave on an emergency power supply. It didn’t dampen their spirits!

"The clear up process is on-going. We simply can’t get to some trees yet without causing further unwanted damage to the grounds. We have been leaving cut wood stacked by the front gate for locals in the village to collect.

"In time we will replant trees. One in particular that was sad to lose was a 150-year-old evergreen oak. It’s often referred to as the ‘broccoli tree’, the sort of typical tree a child would draw if asked to."

Andrew added that this was the worst the centre has had it during a storm, saying: "We have lost trees before but not, that I can recall, on this scale. However, we are grateful not to have had any more significant damage, and we are thinking of Chirk Primary School who lost a chunk of their roof, and of course, folks in Bronygarth who are still cut off, with a lengthy detour, from the rest of the community by the flood damage from Storm Bert during the previous week."