Bordering the river on Victoria Road are twenty-one lime trees these were planted in 1912 to commemorate the coronation of King George V, and represent the twenty-one gun salute.
That is an excerpt from Frank Coupe’s 1954 book, “Walton le Dale, A History of the Village”.
It describes a line of twenty-one Lime Trees that have been earmarked for felling, because they are in the way of flood defence works that are soon to take place in Walton le Dale. Lime trees are a group of deciduous trees in the genus Tilia — commonly called linden trees in North America and lime trees in the UK.
This work is part of the Preston & South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme, as proposed by the Environment Agency. The proposed design includes the removal of 18 trees, but three others at the viewing platform would not interfere with works and would not be removed.
This photograph is not dated, but you can see one of the Lime Trees to the left near the Police Station. It appears to be relatively young. It is not clear what age the trees were when they were planted. It seems likely that the image would have been quite soon after 1912, perhaps within several years. It is identified as, ‘Walton-le-Dale Sepia postcard RP-PPC. No. 90’. The image kindly provided by Derek Carwin, courtesy of Heather Crook.
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Do the trees have an historic value?
As part of its investigations into the trees’ background, the Environment Agency states that it had received differing accounts from the community regarding their history. They also claimed that research by the Environment Agency’s Senior Historic Environment Advisor had, so far been inconclusive. The statement went on to say that their tree survey was not able confirm the precise age of the lime trees, as growth has been restricted by the limited space along the riverbank. They did acknowledge, that it is likely that the trees are at least 100 years old.
Longer term, the Environment Agency has been exploring ways to preserve the legacy of the lime trees, which would include taking 180 cuttings from them. These cuttings would be propagated before replanting elsewhere in the community.
Walton le Dale A History of the Village by Frank Coupe was written under the patronage of the Walton-le-Dale Urban District Council, and was published in 1954. It is a serious local history work that appears to have been undertaken with a great deal of diligence.
In the ‘Preface’ to the book, Frank states:
My chief concern in producing this book was to see that, as near as possible, it must be free from error, and no effort has been spared by me to attain that elusive perfection. It is unnecessary to mention the many difficulties which arise, and occasionally a confliction of statement met with in ancient documents; but by careful analysis, through comparison, one is brought within reach of the evidence and knowledge sought.
Whilst, at the moment, the primary sources for the details regarding the planting of the Lime Trees have not come to light. However, based on Frank’s statement, I have a great deal of confidence in his account of their existence.
The above photograph is from the Preston Digital Archive. It shows Victoria Road, Walton-le-Dale, on a Sepia postcard (RP-PPC – based on a real photograph) that was taken circa 1905. This is approximately 7 years prior to the trees being planted. The photograph was taken from the upper storey of the Police Station.
The next photograph was taken circa 1935. By then the trees have become reasonably well established.
Does the Crown Own the Lime Trees?
Another statement from The Environment Agency says that the trees are not owned by the Crown, and that they have held meetings with the landowner to discuss the trees. However, they do not divulge who this landowner is. It is also apparent that a South Ribble Borough Council Tree Officer has also been consulted.