The Statue and the Tree

If April IS the cruellest month, then two dismal images from recent weeks reinforce that perfectly. They are haunting, dispiriting, and difficult to understand. 

But at the risk of sounding like an obscure medieval riddle, let’s consider the similarities between a statue and a tree, both of which recently hit the headlines.

Why Millicent?

‘When any of us talk about standing on the shoulders of giants, Millicent Fawcett was that giant of female empowerment.’ (Ruth Davidson)

Following the Supreme Court’s gender ruling on April 16, demonstrations took place in Parliament Square. The statue of Millicent Fawcett, the only representation of a woman in the square, was defaced, alongside several other statues. 

‘Investigations continue’ according to the police.

Millicent Fawcett was not a militant. She was a suffragist who worked tirelessly for over 50 years in pursuit of women’s suffrage. She opposed the violence espoused by Emmeline Pankhurst and the Suffragettes. She lobbied, gave speeches, wrote pamphlets, organised petitions, led marches and travelled far to communicate her values and beliefs. 

Following a campaign led by Caroline Criado Perez (another fearless supporter of gender equality), a statue of Millicent was erected in Parliament Square in 2018. 

But then in April 2025, this striking statue of an extraordinary woman, holding the message that ‘Courage calls to courage everywhere,' had an offensive slogan scrawled over it. 

For goodness’ sake, WHY did this happen?

Why a beloved tree?

‘You stand beneath the arthritic boughs of any English oak, and you survey a thousand tales.’ (Jim Crace)

In early April, a 500-year-old oak tree on the edge of the Toby Carvery in Enfield was felled. It was close to an historic building associated with the Gunpowder plot. Enfield Council had previously inspected the tree and had found it to be in good health. However, someone somewhere had decreed that the tree was dead and posed a health and safety risk.

Once again, 'Investigations continue.'

The felling came as a shock to local residents and a stream of people came to view the remaining stumps and join a silent vigil. The mutilation hit some kind of a national nerve, reminding us also about the wanton destruction at the Sycamore Gap not too long ago.

Oak trees support more wildlife than any other British tree, providing shelter for fungi, lichen, invertebrates, birds, mammals, moths, and butterflies. So, hundreds of species were displaced, and an historic landmark has been lost because of some dodgy decision. 

For goodness’ sake, HOW could this happen?

Rooted in the past

No humans came to harm in these attacks, but each incident caused real distress to many people. Were they over-reacting? After all, the statue will be cleaned, and the oak tree may yet show signs of life. But the attacks seem mean-spirited and vindictive. The statue and the tree stood immobile and defenceless as they endured an onslaught of petty acts of ignorance. The huge tree and the bronze statue may have been rooted to the ground, but they silently communicated, reminding us of the the strength and power of the natural world and extraordinary potential of humanity. They embodied a kind of heroism and resilience, human traits that we can recognise and admire. All the more reason then, for us to be distressed by such acts of ignorance and carelessness.

Looking to the future

Can anything be salvaged from such crass and wanton acts? 

The statue of Millicent will certainly endure. The damage done to her may well have stimulated even more interest in her work, the successes of the Suffragists and the ongoing campaigns of the Fawcett Society. 

The oak tree may yet live. Media coverage has highlighted the ways in which oaks support wildlife and there are already calls for more protection orders for trees. So there may actually be some benefits to the environment.

The statue and the tree have more to teach us than we ever imagined. They have endured lopped limbs and abusive scrawls but standing firm, their beauty and dignity surpassed all that was inflicted upon them.

A moment to celebrate

‘Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.’ (Stella Adler)

This blog began by referring to the only statue of a woman in Parliament Square. It seems appropriate, therefore, to end by celebrating another work of art which has just taken its rightful place in a once all-male environment. On April 24th there was a grand unveiling of the official MCC portrait of the cricketer Charlotte Edwards (recently appointed as the England head coach). The painting is now hanging in the Long Room at Lord’s Cricket Ground 

When Charlotte Edwards first played for England in 1997, women were forbidden to enter the Long Room and could not be members of the MCC. She is now a permanent fixture in that room and the portrait of the 18th Century Earl of Winchelsea in his powdered wig has had to move elsewhere to make room for her.

In the context of worldwide turmoil, the incidents and examples described here are relatively minor. But values are not minor. Campaigns to improve equality for women will continue and campaigns to improve the natural environment will continue

And as April comes to a close, we can still take heart from examples all around us of strength, calm persistence and resilience.


APRIL UPDATE ON THE MK FAWCETT CAMPAIGN FOR A SAFER, HEALTHIER, FAIRER MILTON KEYNES

  • We have circulated background papers with baseline evidence of the need for making MK Safer, Healthier and Fairer.
  • Following preliminary meetings last year with all three MPs for Milton Keynes, we have now met for a second time with Emily Darlington and Callum Anderson and hope to meet soon with Chris Curtis.
  • We have now met 3 party leaders from Milton Keynes City Council and discussed our campaign with them.
  • A couple of our members have been asked to review a draft of the Council’s new Domestic Abuse Strategy, following on from a recent contribution to MKCC’s Housing Policy.
  • In conjunction with the OU’s Centre for Protection of Women Online we have contributed to Ofcom’s consultation on their draft guidance for tech companies, ‘A Safer Online for Women and Girls.’
  • We have met with the Deputy Head of Communications and Engagement at MK Hospital for an update on the new-build Women and Children’s wards.
  • We are monitoring and collecting further evidence to support our campaign.
  • We will continue to promote the manifesto campaign and encourage people to become more involved with the political process

We will include an update in every blog. Thank you for supporting us in our campaigns for gender equality and women’s rights.


Location: Milton Keynes, UK

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