MP’s memorial tree at RAF Menwith Hill saved

A memorial tree at RAF Menwith Hill that was under threat of removal has been saved and replanted.

The tree was originally planted in 1994 in memory of Bob Cryer, who was the Labour MP for Bradford South. He was a vocal campaigner for transparency at the base and died in a car accident in 1994.

Mr Cryer secured a debate in parliament a few months before he died when he claimed the aim of the base was to “assert and retain United States supremacy”.

The Ministry of Defence, which owns the site, is building a new visitor centre, vehicle canopy and changes to the road junction on Menwith Hill Road.

However, this work involved removing the memorial tree that was replanted close to the site’s main gate in 2002. It was planted alongside the public highway on land not owned by the MOD.

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Last year, the Stray Ferret spoke to the late MP’s wife, Ann Cryer, who was the MP for Keighley from 1997 until 2010. She said she was “very upset” about the possible removal of the memorial tree.

But on Thursday, the MOD replanted the tree 100 metres away from its old location with work overseen by both an arboriculturist and an ecologist.

This means the tree should hopefully survive while plans to upgrade the entrance at the base can continue.

Bob Cryer’s alder tree in its new location

Sqn Ldr Geoff Dickson, RAF Menwith Hill, said the MOD wanted to ensure the move was done in a way that was “sympathetic to the memory of Mr Cryer”.

A second alder tree was also planted.

Sqn Ldr Dickson said:

“Mindful of the significance, we wanted to be sympathetic to the memory of Mr Cryer and to the sensitivities of the protest groups.  Accordingly, we hired a professional tree removal company to re-locate the alder some 100 metres further west on the verge bordering Menwith Hill road.

“The operation was successfully carried out last Thursday, with the roots of the tree being dug out by hand so as to avoid damage to the roots system.  The work was overseen by both an arboriculturist, and an ecologist. A second alder similar in size was planted a few feet away to complement the original tree.  We sincerely hope the tree will survive and thrive in its new habitat.”

The move was welcomed by Lindis Percy, co-founder of the Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases.

Ms Percy said:

“The America base at Menwith Hill is to be significantly upgraded so the alder tree dedicated to the memory and work of Bob Cryer MP had to be moved.

“He worked tirelessly to make the base accountable to Parliament. His work has been continued by many people since his untimely death in 1994 and we hope the tree survives the move.”

Upset and anger at plans to remove MP’s memorial tree at Menwith Hill

Former Labour MP Ann Cryer has said she is “very upset” at plans to remove a memorial tree dedicated to her late husband at an entrance of RAF Menwith Hill in Nidderdale.

Bob Cryer, who was the Labour MP for Bradford South, died in a car accident in 1994.

He campaigned for transparency at Menwith Hill and secured a debate in parliament a few months before he died when he claimed the aim of the base was to “assert and retain United States supremacy”.

The Ministry of Defence, which owns the site, has submitted plans to Harrogate Borough Council to add a new visitor centre, vehicle canopy and changes to the road junction on Menwith Hill Road.

However, this would involve removing the alder tree planted and dedicated to Mr Cryer in 1994. The tree is planted alongside the public highway and is not owned by the MOD.

Ms Cryer, who was MP for Keighley from 1997 until 2010, told the Stray Ferret the plans to remove the tree were “very worrying”.

Former MP Ann Cryer. Credit: the BBC

She said:

“I feel quite hurt that they would disregard something like this. If they are removing the tree you would think someone would contact me. I am very upset and would like a response and an apology from the people at the base.

“It’s not just about the tree, it’s about the people that lie behind it.”

Originally positioned to the east of the entrance, the tree was dug up when new slip roads were incorporated. It was replanted and rededicated by Ms Cryer in October 2002.

‘A mockery of defence’

There are now at least 38 ‘golf balls’ at the site.

Built in the 1950s on the edge of Nidderdale, Menwith Hill is the United States’ largest overseas surveillance base. Giant radomes, or ‘golf balls’, are a distinctive feature of the site.

There have been several applications in recent years to expand the base and add more golf balls. Each time, the MOD says expansion is needed for security and defence reasons, which Ms Cryer questioned.

She said:

“Menwith Hill makes a mockery of defence and is an appalling breach of our democracy.

“It’s always been the source of anxiety for myself and others. Why do they need to expand?”

“Bob was so cross that a beautiful part of England has been used in this way.”

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Sarah Swift, from the Menwith Hill Accountability Campaign group, has objected to Harrogate Borough Council about the plans to remove the tree.

As part of the planning application, the MOD commissioned a tree survey that did not recognise the significance of the memorial tree and placed it in the ‘C category’, which it described as being of ‘low quality and value’.

Ms Swift also told the Stray Ferret that several plaques that were attached to the tree have been mysteriously removed in recent years.

She added:

“Bob Cryer was tireless in his efforts to bring public and parliamentary scrutiny to the activities of Menwith Hill.”

When the tree was replanted in 2002, and an image of the now missing plaque. Credit: Alastair Hurley

A Harrogate Borough Council spokesman said:

“We are working with our colleagues in the arboriculture team, and applicant, to find a solution for the memorial tree at Menwith Hill.”

An MOD spokesperson said:

“Planning matters are a matter for the local authority who will make a decision on the Menwith Hill application in due course.

“Nevertheless, the MOD have been made aware of some concerns raised by a member of the public and as a matter of course will be looking into them, however, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”