NOSTALGIA: A party formed by protest: the Devizes Guardians

The ongoing discussion of Town Council’s plans to redevelop the Shambles have led to the Devizes Guardians highlighting its years of work to better the town.

The Guardians were formed in 2001, after the controversial felling of historic trees in the Market Place.

Cllr Chris Greenwood explained: “Just over 20 years ago, London Plane trees started disappearing overnight from the Market Place. They had been there for some 100 years, as an overnight roosts for our Pied Wagtail population, shelter from the sun, a focal point for festive lighting, and the occasional refuge for Batman & Robin!

“This eco-vandalism was traced to the doors of Kennet District Council, who had - on the advice of officers – voted to remove them in favour of some Moonraker-themed piazza.

“The local Midland Bank Manager of the time – Mr Nigel Holman – put up A4 posters on the remaining trees – and lampposts, requesting a meeting of interested locals, who contacted him with a view to forming an action group.

Devizes Guardians Twenty years on Councillors Nigel Carter and Chris Greenwood reflect on the tree guardians who acted in the Devizes Market Place Photo Trevor Porter 67290 1

“The late, and respected Tony Duck and I met up in Tony’s office, and gathered the list of interested locals, subsequently creating the action group, with Tony as chairman, and Judy Rose as secretary. Our aims at that time were simple – to attempt to preserve those remaining trees, and particularly the character of our beautiful Market Place.

“The trees however kept disappearing overnight, until only two remained – by which time the press became involved, and the public support was swelling.

A dramatic series of events soon unfolded, with petitions and hugely attended meetings calling for change.

In October 2001, campaigners climbed the final plane tree and chained themselves to it in order to get their views across. Local people were so outraged, that they kept a 24-hour watch over the remaining tree from its branches, demanding a reprieve which they temporarily won.

But ultimately successful plans to chop down the tree resurfaced the following year.

Again, a protester scaled the final plane tree in the Market Place to prevent Kennet and District Council from giving them the chop.

The Devizes Guardians rose from the ashes of the tree felling Photo by Trevor Porter

More 40 protesters soon rallied in the Market Place - and contractors were told to call off the operation.

Cllr Greenwood added: “Once the penultimate tree disappeared, the public unrest was tremendous, leaving us with no alternative other than to form a political party, with our already declared aims.

“Our initial stand at a by-election was unsuccessful, however using a co-ordinated campaign, with full colour personalised literature, we finally achieved several election successes, at Town, District, and eventually County Council level.”

Their success grew in the following years with the late Tony Duck commenting in 2002: “I think there is a movement for more grass roots representation, free from the shackles of party politics and hopefully enabling us to challenge local issues.”

The following year, elected councillor Nigel Carter was quoted as saying there was always an element of “protest vote” in the support for the party.

Today, the Guardians are made up of members from entirely different political backgrounds.

Cllr Greenwood added: “We have continued to retain seats on Devizes Town Council, as our emphasis has always been on local matters, we have always endeavoured to provide our electorate with transparency regarding those matters which could have a long term effect on our community.

Nigel Carter, Judy Rose, Mayor Chris Gay and Chris Greenwood

“Our presence on social media is not as high as it might be, few of us are keyboard warriors, preferring to avoid banner waving, in favour of reasoned debate, which has worked successfully for the last two decades.”