Worthing campaigner shocked to find treasured trees have vanished

A photographer who gave Worthing’s seafront palms international fame has spoken of her shock at finding her treasured trees have all been removed.
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And to add insult to injury, the eight trees she donated to Worthing Borough Council for Victoria Park have also all disappeared this month.

Cordylines from Italy were planted on the prom in 2002 and more were added the following year, which extended the line along Marine Parade to Heene Terrace and added a group feature to the east of Windsor Lawns in East Worthing.

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Julia Horbaschk made a year-long study of the six trees in West Parade, between Seaview Road and Grand Avenue, from July 2017 to June 2018, and her photographs have since been exhibited in the UK and in Spain.

Cordyline palm trees on Worthing seafront before they were removed by the council. Picture: Google MapsCordyline palm trees on Worthing seafront before they were removed by the council. Picture: Google Maps
Cordyline palm trees on Worthing seafront before they were removed by the council. Picture: Google Maps

She said: “The palms have vanished, just like that, with no warning. One of the palms had started to look a bit sad but the others were in okay condition. I am really shocked and am also wondering what will happen in the spaces.”

Julia said documenting the palms had aided her recovery from trauma and people living nearby had told her how much they also valued them as their daily view.

She added: “Taking these images was my meditation, my fix, my monthly puzzle. The act of taking the images became more important than the result.”

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Julia said her palm images had become their legacy. They are currently on tour as part of a large show, Seaside Photographed, which started at Turner Contemporary in Margate and will continue at John Hansard Gallery in Southampton. They are also scheduled to appear at the Newlyn Art Gallery in Cornwall next year.

These images have given Worthing's palm trees international fame. Pictures: Julia HorbaschkThese images have given Worthing's palm trees international fame. Pictures: Julia Horbaschk
These images have given Worthing's palm trees international fame. Pictures: Julia Horbaschk

She said: “I think so many other people and artists loved the exotic texture they gave to the seafront. I really would love to see any other documents, drawings and photos people have of them.”

To add to her sadness, Julia recently discovered the trees at Victoria Park had also gone. These hazel and rowan trees were part of a community donation from The Woodland Trust that Julia arranged to replace a treasured oak lost to development at the old MGM site in Heene Road.

The eight trees in Victoria Park were planted by Anthony Read, community park ranger at Worthing Borough Council, with children from Heene First School in November last year. The intention was four of the hazel trees would become part of an edible trail.

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Julia said: “It’s with some shock I discovered all eight trees I donated to Worthing Council have gone, presumably mowed down? The warden said it happened before and so it would come as no surprise.

Anthony Read, community park ranger at Worthing Borough Council, with the donated hazel and rowan trees. Picture:  Julia HorbaschkAnthony Read, community park ranger at Worthing Borough Council, with the donated hazel and rowan trees. Picture:  Julia Horbaschk
Anthony Read, community park ranger at Worthing Borough Council, with the donated hazel and rowan trees. Picture: Julia Horbaschk

“I went there to check on progress and take a picture, and could just see one sad little spindle stump.

“I was really sad and shocked. A lot of effort went into the application for these as an individual. They were the most I gave to anyone and I am so disappointed.”

A spokesman for Worthing Borough Council said the cordylines had been taken out because they were no longer viable but it was not known for sure what had happened to the trees in Victoria Park.

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“The cordylines on Worthing seafront were either dead or dying. The harsh seafront winters have put paid to them and for the past few, we have tried to protect them by covering them but without success,” said the council.

The eight trees in Victoria Park, Worthing, donated as part of a community project. Picture: Julia HorbaschkThe eight trees in Victoria Park, Worthing, donated as part of a community project. Picture: Julia Horbaschk
The eight trees in Victoria Park, Worthing, donated as part of a community project. Picture: Julia Horbaschk

“We consulted with our tree expert on their health and discussed options for their replacement. Unfortunately, nothing of height was identified as suitable.

“So, a range of ground covering plants that will do well in these very exposed conditions were carefully selected. The replacement plants add colour and pollinator value to the area that is presently lacking in those aspects. Climate change is causing us to rethink quite a lot of planting, as is the case across the entire horticulture industry.

“With the eight trees in Victoria Park, Anthony, the ranger, was extremely surprised but unfortunately the trees have gone. They were not removed by the council, so it looks as though it could be vandalism.”

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Julia responded that the new use of the spaces where the six palms once stood gave hope of something new but she would like to challenge the council to add new, smaller, young cordylines as a centrepiece.

She pointed out: “They cost from £59 and our petition for the MGM tree resulted in a £50,000 Community Infrastructure Levy from the developer, which was dedicated for local green spaces.”

Visit juliahorbaschk.com/Time-for-trees for more information about her project.

Nothing is left of the community trees in Victoria Park . Picture: Julia HorbaschkNothing is left of the community trees in Victoria Park . Picture: Julia Horbaschk
Nothing is left of the community trees in Victoria Park . Picture: Julia Horbaschk
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