Queen sends letter to tree campaigner who helped save 500-year-old Brimmon Oak
The Queen has paid tribute to a pensioner who fought to save a 500-year-old tree which stood in the way of a new bypass and later suffered horrific injuries in an attack in her own home.
Rob McBride, a tree expert from Ellesmere, wrote to The Queen earlier this year to tell her the story of Blanche Rowlands and the Brimmon Oak in Newtown.
The tree sits on land in Lower Brimmon Farm which is owned by Mrs Rowlands and has been in the family for hundreds of years.
In 2009, the 90-year-old and her nephew Mervyn Jones launched a campaign to save it after it was under threat of being felled to accommodate the £56 million Newtown bypass.
Shortly after winning the campaign Mrs Rowlands suffered serious injuries after burglars broke into her home and stole valuables before leaving her black and blue in a nasty attack.
Brutal attack
On June 18 last year, the widow was in her home in Newtown, when she was brutally attacked leaving her with a broken arm and life-changing injuries.
She was locked in a room for hours and has suffered ongoing problems ever since.
Almost a year later three men were jailed for charges of robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.
Jeffery Earp, 50, of Ceiriog, attacked Mrs Rowlands, hitting her repeatedly in the face with a mystery weapon, and was jailed for 14 years and four months.
Two other men from the town, Keith Grogan, 42, of Frolic Street, and Carl Barrett, 51, of Dinas, were each jailed for three years.
After the trio changed their pleas to guilty and were sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court, the victim’s family said they were relieved the year of hell was over.
The tree and the fight captured the hearts and minds of the public, and after seven years of campaigning, the Welsh Government decided to change the route of the road.
Letter
A letter from the Queen’s Lady-in-Waiting said: “Her Majesty was pleased to hear that, with the help and support of her family and friends, Mrs Rowlands managed to save this 500-year-old tree which was under threat as it stood in the path of a new bypass road being built round the town.
“The Queen was glad to know that it went onto be named Welsh Tree of the Year in 2016 and her majesty greatly appreciated the splendid photographs.”
Mr Jones said it was a “dream come true” for his auntie who plans to frame the letter.
“We had major issues when the plans for the bypass came out,” he said.
“It was going to split out 100 acres right down the middle but all Blanche wanted to do was save the tree.
“All of my ancestors cherished this tree. All of the family photos are taken under the tree. We even have a wedding photo from 1901 under it .”
Mr Jones said Mrs Rowlands was “over the moon” when she read the letter.
“She’s had a rough year since she was beaten up in her own home,” he added.
“People have sent her so many lovely messages and to now get a letter from the Queen is amazing. Not many people have letters from the Queen.
“She would love to thank everyone who supported her during the campaign.”
Mrs Rowlands was brutally attacked in her own home by burglars last year who left her with serious injuries to her face and arms.
