Seven Dials elm tree campaigners switch tonight’s meeting venue

Campaigners trying to save a healthy elm tree are holding a public meeting in Brighton tonight (Tuesday 12 March).

The Save Our Tree meeting will be held at the West Hill Community Hall, at the junction of Compton Avenue and Buckingham Place.

The doors open at 7pm and the meeting is scheduled to run from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

It had been due to take place at Brighton, Hove and Sussex VI Form College (BHASVIC) in Dyke Road, Hove. The college is closed today because of the snow.

The campaigners are trying to save an elm tree in Vernon Terrace from being chopped down as part of a set of changes to try to make the Seven Dials roundabout safer.

But Brighton is one of the few remaining places with healthy elms because elm disease has ravaged the species for decades.

Two protesters – Tom Druitt and Stephen Hendry, who both live near the Dials – climbed the tree last Wednesday (6 March).

They came down late on Friday (8 March) after senior officials at Brighton and Hove City Council agreed to a week-long stay of execution.

The purpose of the meeting this evening is to discuss ideas to save the tree.