Community champion Chris saluted after he rebuilds iconic tree

An unassuming community champion who defied vandals has been praised for rebuilding an emblematic wooden tree in the heart of a Saddleworth village.

Originally, retired joiner Chris Bannatyne handbuilt a tree from pieces of wooden pallets he assembled in his “man shed” in Delph.

It quickly became a landmark with locals and visitors taking walks past its riverside setting.

His wife Sharon said: ”The first tree was put up in December, 2022.

"It was only meant to be there for Christmas, but I suggested to Chris to leave it up and then throughout the year add different wood carvings, depending on the event.

“We put carvings representing Valentines Day, St Patrick’s Day, St George’s Day, football carvings for both the men and women’s football, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day the Easter Bunny and many more.

“The tree is made up of pieces of wood all individually hand sanded and stained.

"Each individual carving can take up to a day to make and paint.

“The tree attracted lots of attention and people stop to look and have their photograph taken with it in the background.

"It was so disappointing to find it had been pushed it into the river after it had recently undergone a refurbishment.”

The tree was targeted on Easter Sunday by vandals during a wave of attacks which wrecked greenhouses, damaged cars and walls on a rampage though Uppermill, Dobcross and Delph.

Now Chris, who has totally refurbished the tree, took up the story.

“The vandals pushed the tree into the river,” he said.

“But I didn’t realise how much the tree had become part of the village until it was destroyed.

“It has become part of the village - it’s the Delph tree now.

"Children have added colourful stones too… but I didn’t realize it was admired by so many people.”

Councillor Pam Byrne, who represents Saddleworth North, said: "Everyone loves the tree.

"It is truly part of the village and it’s a tribute to Chris.

"The whole community were really upset when the tree was damaged.”

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.