Bonkers for conkers: When Norwich overthrew 'nanny state' council call
Residents of Bluebell Road, Norwich, were outraged that their horse chestnut trees were going to be cut down by Norwich City Council. Date: June 6, 2001. - Credit: Archant Library
Most conker battles tend to take place on the playground.
But twenty years ago, Norwich City Council caused a national kerfuffle when it threatened to fell seven Norwich horse chestnut trees on Bluebell Road.
The horse chestnut trees that Norwich City Council threatened to fell on Bluebell Road, Norwich. Date: June 14, 2001. - Credit: Archant Library
In a letter sent to residents on June 8, 2001 the council deemed the conker-producing trees on Bluebell Road a hazard because they were on a busy road and growing too tall - apparently posing danger to the children collecting conkers underneath.
Conkers on the horse chestnut trees in Bluebell Road, Norwich. Date: September 8, 2001. - Credit: Archant Library
But locals were incredulous and rallied to defend the trees that had been planted in the 1970s and the Norwich Green party started a petition to protect them.
Rob Tinch from the Norwich Green party with the petition to save the trees in Bluebell Road, Norwich. Date: June 14, 2001. - Credit: Archant Library
One baffled resident asked: "When was the last time a person was actually killed by a conker? It's the nanny state gone mad."
Looking towards traffic on Bluebell Road, Norwich from the horse chestnut trees lining the street. Date: September 8, 2001. - Credit: Archant Library
The horse chestnut trees that Norwich City Council threatened to fell on Bluebell Road, Norwich. Date: June 14, 2001. - Credit: Archant Library
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The debacle drew national attention with The Sun, Sky News, ITN and BBC covering the story.
The media frenzy caught Norwich City Council off-guard and it made a u-turn within a month.
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Norwich Evening News front page from the Archant and EDP archives. Date: June 13, 2001. - Credit: Archant Library
Norwich Evening News front page from the Archant and EDP archives. Date: June 16, 2001. - Credit: Archant Library
Norwich Evening News front page from the Archant and EDP archives. Date: July 3, 2001. - Credit: Archant Library
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