New Hall School, a prominent Catholic boarding and day school in Chelmsford and the sponsor of Messing Primary School academy, has been the victim of a significant act of trespass, criminal damage and theft.  Trespassers illegally entered the School grounds between 30 April and 1 May 2024, felling a mature 61-year-old maple tree that was a landmark at the School’s historic entrance. Most of the wood was then stolen from the School grounds.

The felled tree was situated in the front garden of Gate Lodge, a property owned by New Hall School Trust. Head Gardener, Simon Boddy, said: “It was not only a striking and much loved feature of the School’s landscape but also held ecological importance.  The tree, which exceeded five cubic metres in volume, was protected due to its age and size, which included a 10m canopy. It is hard to believe that it is gone.” Photographs documenting the tree before and after the incident highlight the severity of the damage.

Gate Lodge, built as a compensatory structure when the historic Avenue was truncated by the A12 bypass in 1969, is in the ownership of New Hall School Trust.  The Lodge marks the entrance to The Avenue which includes a Grade II Registered Park & Garden, extending up to the front of the former Tudor place of Beaulieu, which is New Hall School’s main building.  As a Grade I listed property, New Hall is in the top 2.5% of historic buildings nationally.  New Hall School Trust is committed to preserving the heritage of this site of national importance.

The resident of Gate Lodge, a school employee, now feels vulnerable due to this breach of security and the intrusion into her garden.  Following the police report and security review, CCTV cameras have been installed at Gate Lodge.

Head of Estates, Lee Childs, said: “The School is profoundly affected by the loss of this tree.  Our Head Gardener is working with landscape specialists to reinstate a similar tree in this area. Sadly, it will not have the stature and impact of the original tree for many years. We hope that the police find the culprits and that they will be made to compensate us for their damage by funding the removal of the extensive tree roots and the establishment of the replacement tree. ”

Principal, Katherine Jeffrey, said: “The staff and children who have been working in our gardening clubs and Eco Society are upset by the destruction of our tree. The School has been working on a project to plant 400 trees on our site by our 400^th anniversary in 2042, with over 200 trees planted in the last 5 years.  Many of these were donated from the Woodland Trust and planted by the children themselves.  We are working to preserve and care for all the trees that enhance the tranquillity and beauty of the site.  This tree featured in our educational project about the maple tree, so naturally the children are sad at its loss. Trees are vital for eco-diversity and for supporting the wide range of wildlife here, from badgers, rabbits and muntjac deer, to bats and great crested newts.  The incident occurred during nesting season, and there were signs of the destruction of birds’ nests.  It is a shock that anyone would come onto private land and do this. I hope that the police investigation is successful.  We have also been in conversation with Historic England today, to discuss action to protect the setting of New Hall.”

The public’s assistance is crucial in identifying the perpetrators. New Hall School urges anyone with information, CCTV, dash cam, or other relevant footage to contact the police, quoting crime reference number 42/72509/24. Reports can be submitted on the Essex Police website.  For those preferring to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers can be contacted via their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

New Hall School is dedicated to protecting its heritage and ecological environment.  The community’s support in solving this crime is greatly appreciated as the School works to ensure such an incident does not occur again.

Read more about this story on BBC News and Essex Live.