The Holy Thorn Tree of Glastonbury has been chopped down in what is being seen by some* as an act of aggression by Edward James of Crown Currency Exchange, the owner of the land.
A feature of the skyline surrounding the Somerset town, the tree has been visited by thousands retracing the steps said to have been taken by Joseph of Arimathea, who some say was Jesus’ great uncle.
Police tape surrounds the vandalised Holy Thorn tree on Wearyall Hill in Glastonbury as stunned locals look on. The branches were cut off overnight and a police investigation has been launched
Avon and Somerset police have begun an investigation but because there was no tree preservation order on the Holy Thorn, it means the vandals are unlikely to be prosecuted. The land on which the Holy Thorn stood is owned by Edward James, who was arrested this week in connection with an investigation into failed currency exchange firm Crown Currency Exchange, of which he is a director.
According to the administrator’s report, Crown Currency collapsed owing £16million with little more than £3million in the bank. Last night there was speculation that the attack on the Holy Thorn may have been part of a vendetta against him.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1337159/Glastonburys-2000-year-old-Holy-Thorn-Tree-hacked-vandals.html#ixzz17ivwyi97
...*As the leader of the Crown Currency Action Group I speak on behalf of all our members in condemning the recent vandalism of The Holy Thorn Tree in Glastonbury.
I can assure you that all our members are totally disgusted to discover that this mindless act has taken place. As a group we have always tried to maintain the utmost dignity in the face of very difficult circumstances and we are outraged that Councillor Edward James could even consider the possibility that anyone from our group would be involved in such preposterous behaviour.
We would like to offer our sympathy to the people of Somerset and appreciate the significance and importance that the tree held for its residents and visitors. As a group we have received a great deal of sympathy from the people of Shepton Mallet, Mendip and surrounding areas. The furthest thing from our minds would be to cause them any distress.
It beggars belief that Councillor James could even think that anyone of our group would condone such behaviour. We can only assume that perhaps Councillor James is trying to deflect media attention from his recent arrest or to gain sympathy. In which case one might wonder who had more to be gained from the desecration of the Holy Tree?
Perhaps the false implication of a vendetta against Councillor James may be more beneficial to himself rather than anyone else. Apparently the police are looking for a motive - perhaps they need to look a bit closer to the tree…
Jo Struyk, Crown Currency Action Group
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