2013

SX9064 : Magnolia Tree and Persian Ironwood, Magnolia Square, Torre

taken 11 years ago, near to Shiphay, Torbay, England

Magnolia Tree and Persian Ironwood, Magnolia Square, Torre
Magnolia Tree and Persian Ironwood, Magnolia Square, Torre
These two venerable trees, which enjoy a timescale more in keeping with the Sphinx, continue to flourish in all passing environments. Once planted in an arboretum which was then incorporated into the grounds of the then South Devon Technical College, the trees were threatened by new buildings. John Miles (1944-1997), an art teacher at the College in those days, allegedly enraged the College Principal, Mr Arthur Ebdon by standing in front of a bulldozer which was about to uproot the trees. Nevertheless, the trees were retained, but at the cost of having their trunks buried under many feet of earth to fit in with the profile of the College campus. This accounts for their slightly off centre angles as their trunks were already long established. Later, they were again threatened by another new building, when the Principal Mr Terry Keen sought to get the permission of the Local Authority to remove the trees for the new building. However, it transpired that scores of individuals had complained to the Local Authority about the Principal's plans. So the trees are enduring points of reference symbolising the transient nature of human endeavours but also embodying the principle that the actions of a single individual, in this case John Miles, a lover of Nature in all it forms can indeed change the world, albeit on a small scale.

John F B Miles - Artist

LinkExternal link

See also
SX9064 : Magnolia Tree, Magnolia Square, Torre
SX9064 : Magnolia tree former South Devon College grounds
SX9064 : Ebdon Building, former South Devon College

Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Tom Jolliffe and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Torre [386] · South Devon College [74] Other Photos: · Ebdon Building, former South Devon College · Magnolia, Torre Marine ·
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SX9064, 1157 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Tom Jolliffe   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Thursday, 28 February, 2013   (more nearby)
Submitted
Sunday, 27 October, 2013
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SX 9075 6483 [10m precision]
WGS84: 50:28.3848N 3:32.4550W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SX 9074 6484
View Direction
Southeast (about 135 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Geograph
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