Designed by Lydia Monks and cast by Brass Founders of Sheffield.
The plaque, on show in Sheffield Town Hall close to the Kinder Scout Mass Trespass plaque, recognises the campaigners who saved 1000s of trees from being felled. It contains references to campaigners’ actions during the tree felling protests, including “Squirrels”, “Bunnies” and “Geckos”.
The plaque acknowledging the efforts of hundreds of street tree campaigners is a significant part of Sheffield City Council’s reparations for its wrongful acts and omissions, and those of its highway maintenance contractor, and the mistakes made during the years of the city-wide trees dispute. The wording on the plaque states:
“In recognition of the courageous campaigners who saved thousands of street trees from wrongful felling by Sheffield City Council, and as a reminder to all that such failures of leadership must never happen again.”
The street tree campaign began in spring 2015, urging Sheffield City Council to honour its existing policy commitments, to adopt a city-wide tree strategy, and ensure that its acts accord with current best practice, to help ensure its trees are managed sustainably, as defined by the UK Forestry Standard: the governments’ approach to sustainable forest management.
Sheffield’s citizens were far more passionate about the trees on their streets than the Council realised, and residents continually tried to protect healthy, mature trees in all weather conditions. Many were arrested for their peaceful protests, and others were taken to the High Court and even faced prison sentences. Many worked on petitions, wrote letters lobbying councillors, MPs and government ministers, the Forestry Commission, organised fundraising concerts and protest marches, art events, enlisted the help of celebrities, and more.
In July 2024, a group of campaigners and Sheffield City Council officers, supported by two university staff assisted by others, collaborated to ensure a plaque was installed that recognises the extraordinary efforts, sacrifices and achievements of the campaigners. The installation celebrates the campaigners’ achievements and those who, sadly, did not live to witness the range of positive outcomes secured.
This is a proud moment for both campaigners and the Council, as we respectfully commemorate this tumultuous period in the city’s history through mutual recognition of our struggle. We hope and trust that the Council will continue to work hard to honour its policy commitments, maintain an up-to-date city tree strategy, and ensure that Sheffield’s trees are managed sustainably, following its commitment to apply best practice. It is significant that this plaque will sit below the plaque commemorating the Kinder Trespass.
Shelley Cockayne, campaigner and plaque committee member, said:
“Getting to where we are now with the plaque is a result of more than a year’s worth of commitment by campaigners, and I’m very proud of that. We look forward to unveiling this incredibly important plaque together, and to always recognising the significance of this campaign.
For me, it’s about remembering that everyone who represents the public in councils across the country must never lose sight of who they are doing it for. The plaque will be installed in the town hall’s inner lobby at a height that gives everyone the opportunity to see it or touch it, and that’s important to us.”