Greatness All Around

Living in Dagenham probably doesn't give me much reason to frequently start sentences with "Well of course Dagenham has......" although in recent weeks I have been able to complete that sentence with both "a football league team for next season" and "a really good and easy to use recyling policy".

However how about this for a corker "Well of course Dagenham has one of only 4 Great Trees of London in east london (and I know that I'm actually in Essex - let me save that rant for another day).

Don't believe me? Well The Valence Park Holm Oak is an official Great Tree of London . It has a plaque and everything (photo to follow if I can stalk my way around the Valence Moat Anglers). I quite like the idea that not only do I live near a Moat but there is a Great Tree as well. I wonder how many people who trudge through Valence Park actually notice the rather dark and somewhat massive tree in the corner by the old house and near the duck pond. Admittedly it is usually guarded by some evil Muscovy Duck so perhaps less people get to know that way-hay they are walking by A Great Tree.

It would be a good idea if the council also mentioned it somewhere on their website.....mmm, there's an idea.