Shock Resignation Latest Twist In Local 'Cherrygate' Row

Writer Rebecca Frayn quits as 'Friends' chair after 13 years following 'petty in-fighting'

Rebecca Frayn posting notice of cancellation of planting. Picture Abundance London

The 'Cherrygate' controversy, over the cancellation of a community tree-planting event at Turnham Green, has taken a new turn with the shock resignation of the chair of the Friends of Turnham Green, Rebecca Frayn.

The award winning writer and environmentalist (whose screenplay, Misbehaviour starring Keira Knightly and Greg Kinnear about the Miss World demonstrations in 1970 is due for release in March), has stood down from the position after thirteen years, saying,"Who would have thought that the offer of 10 free cherry trees could create such a storm of outrage and upset amongst such a vocal minority?" She is the mother of prominent YouTubers Jack and Finn Harries.

The row blew up over a disagreement at the recent AGM over the issue of whether cherry trees should be planted at the north west end of the Green and along the path east of the Church. Karen Liebreich of Abundance told the AGM that an anonymous donor had offered £5,000 towards planting cherry trees and she was willing to organise a community planting event.

There was some debate over the issue of whether cherry trees were suitable for that area of the Green due to problems with debris along the church path during the fruiting season. Karen Liebreich said that the offer related to cherry trees only. The option was then given to those present to decide against having trees planted, or vote for the cherry tree option. A show of hands went in favour of having the cherry trees.

A source said, "People didn't want to vote against having trees planted. But having been told there was money available also meant people didn't want to lose that donation either. In hindsight it might have been better to take more time and do more research into what type of trees would be best for the Green, but that option wasn't given at the time."

One member of the meeting shouted 'dictatorship' when the vote result was announced. Another described it as a 'pressurised meeting'.

Cherry trees in Chiswick - not the variety planned for Turnham Green

Some of those who objected later took their concerns to local councillor Jo Biddolph, who was also present at the AGM. There was a feeling that the way the decision was taken was 'not democratic'. The same claim has been made by those in favour of the cherry-planting who said a majority voted in favour of the cherry trees.

Cllr Biddolph says that the planting was not 'blocked' by her but was 'put on hold' to allow further internal discussions on the matter within the Friends group.

Rebecca Frayn said, "It was apparent that the dissenters have absolutely no interest in working constructively to resolve things. Most disappointingly of all, amidst all the storm of petty in-fighting in which this tiny minority have become so embroiled, the far more pressing issues of how we as citizens can contribute to mitigating the climate crisis and supporting our declining wild life by urgently planting more trees have been tragically cast aside.

"Once a tiny minority, supported by Councillor Joanna Biddolph, successfully blocked our planting day last Saturday, despite the overwhelming vote in favour of the tree-planting at our well attended AGM, it became apparent that a precedent had now been set whereby a motion passed by a majority of our members will only actually be honoured if that vocal minority, together with Councillor Biddolph, happen to agree with it."

She added that this was a precedent "which completely undoes the democratic principles that a underpin our purpose as a Friends group."

Jill Spencer, who is on the Friend's Landscape Committee, said the first she had heard of the proposal for the cherry-trees was at the AGM. An item on the agenda had said there was an offer of funding for tree-planting on the Green. Jill said she queried the suitability of planting more fruiting cherry trees, because of the problems with debris in the fruit season on the path. She added that these matters usually go through the scrutiny of the Landscape Committee, and people were taken by surprise at the need to make an immediate decision.

"The current cherry trees have not been well maintained in the 25-30 years since they were planted. The prospect of another 16 cherry trees, not maintained, and growing to a potential height of 45 ft would make a big change to the green and open space we currently know and love. At the AGM I voted for more, but unspecified trees." (statement below)

The resignation of the chair has shocked and saddened members. A founder member of the Friends of Turnham Green in 2007, Rebecca Frayn has been involved with several local projects, including the rockery and wildflower area, the re-routing of 300 buses that were blocking Sutton Lane North, projects to put in new paths, fences and bins and the installation of a herbal knot garden. Ms Frayn, is married to film and tv producer Andy Harries (The Queen, The Crown, Outlander, The Royle Family), and is a popular local figure.

Ed Stanley, secretary of the Friends commented, "I was very disappointed to receive Rebecca's resignation but she had been put in a pretty horrible position. It is a real shame to lose someone of her energy and vision and I am proud to have supported her over the last 14 years.

"I suppose it's a mini version of a shareholders' dispute. A minority cries foul over something the board has done and puts the debate into the public arena. I'm not going to comment on whether they were right or not, or whether FoTG has benefited from the resultant 'publicity'. The upshot is however that the Chair has resigned over the issue and in looking for a replacement, the normal first port of call would be someone from within that minority.

"I am therefore asking the Landscape Committee if anyone is prepared to stand for election for the vacant position of Chair. In the event that we get no joy, you good people at ChiswickW4 may well be asked to help find someone suitable ! "

Chiswick councillor Jo Biddolph denied that she 'undermined democracy' following the cancellation of the event. Cllr Biddolph, who represents Turnham Green ward, says the issue was more complicated than reports suggested, and a misleading picture has been presented to the residents of Chiswick. In a statement she said the event was not 'blocked ' but was 'put on hold' to allow time for discussions within the local organisation, after members had raised their concerns with her following the AGM.

Cllr Biddolph (pictured here) said she had been approached by members of the FoTG landscape committee who were themselves unhappy about the decision-making process over the cherry trees.

"The request was to postpone the planting so discussions could take place. This point –
postponement – was clear in the statement made by Cllr Samia Chaudhary, cabinet member for
leisure services including our open spaces, who said the planting had been “put on hold”. It was
never “blocked” as all those involved in the discussions knew.

"After an exchange of emails, I met Rebecca Frayn, chairman of FOTG, and Ed Stanley, secretary of FOTG, to explain why I had intervened and to try to persuade them to meet the members who had raised concerns and to discuss those concerns with them.

"Rebecca and Ed said they did not think it was right to listen to the voices of the 20 per cent of those present at the AGM who disagreed with the decision when 80 per cent of those present had agreed with it. It was undemocratic. I explained that the process leading to that vote was in question and that discussing it with the members who had raised them could lead to an outcome all could agree on.

"Much has been said on social media, and in emails, about what has been seen as a high-handed and undemocratic attempt by me to overturn a democratic decision. The issue was never as simple as voting percentages. It was about the decision-making process before and at the AGM which had not been made democratically. In contrast, councillors are elected by residents in a democratic process and are expected to represent residents and their concerns, uncomfortable though it can be."

You can read the full statement from Cllr Jo Biddolph here.

Jill Spencer, of the Landscape Committee, said that she stood by her request to ask Hounslow Council to delay the planting of more cherry trees, pending a wider community consultation based on a clear holistic planting plan.

"It was a difficult meeting and Karen was challenged by two members attending, when she said that if people wanted types of tree other than cherry, she might not feel particularly motivated to plant them. The proposal put to the vote at that meeting was for 10 cherry trees. In a later email from Karen Liebreich she stated the plan to plant six fruiting cherry trees and 10 flowering cherry trees, making a total of 16 trees."

"In my request to ask Hounslow Council to delay any planting until this autumn, I made suggestions to look at the wider picture when the trees are in full leaf, and develop a clear planting plan considering all the options for suitable trees, and the possible sites available to work around the many conflicting uses of the Green.

"It is after all common land - a green and open space for all to enjoy. I consider that all those 100s and 1000s of local people who walk over the Green should have a voice on the plans – especially with all the detritus caused in the fruiting season by the current double row of cherry trees, on the path that leads from Town Hall Avenue to where the paths cross. If you haven’t experienced this for yourself in previous years, you may like to look at this in the coming cherry season, and you may change your mind about supporting the idea of more fruiting cherry trees over the paths where many have to walk. And, ironically, I do like cherries and cherry trees, but in the right place.

"I welcome exploring the possibilities for adding more trees on the Green as part of the overall national and local green strategy in the light of the 2019 climate emergency declaration.

"Meetings have been held this week to try to find a way forward through this whole ghastly saga, fuelled by unhelpful and ill-informed comments on social media. Another meeting is being held with Hounslow Officers next week to find a resolution."

February 21, 2020