THE London Plane trees felled in Devizes Market Place during the renovation work in the area will have a permanent place in the hearts of local people.
But now they will be memorialised in town council proceedings after Coun Charles Winchcombe used wood from the felled trees to have a gavel made for council meetings.
Coun Winchcombe, alone among Kennet district councillors, stood out against the felling of the trees and was determined they should not be forgotten. He said: "The wood for the gavel came from the tree that stood by the Market Cross." The gavel, which Mr Winchcombe presented to retiring town mayor Coun Catherine Brown yesterday, has been made by a local craftsman who wants to remain anonymous, although it is known he works part-time at Mr Winchcombe's funeral directors business.
He also made smaller versions for Mr Winchcombe's wife Paula, who was sworn in as the town's mayor tonight.
She presented them to dignitaries from Devizes' twin towns of Mayenne and Waiblingen, when she met them in Germany at the weekend.
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