Page 27 - Jigsaw May 2021

A GLANCE AT THE PAST
it; the main trunk would have had more. The photograph opposite shows a portion of the remaining trunk which was shaped into a rough bench by the tree surgeons. It survived for a few years until numerous attempts at setting it alight finally meant its removal was imperative.
It was a much-loved sight in town and, for those of us to whom it seemed an ever-present symbol of Thrapston, remains much lamented. I have spoken to people who have recently arrived in town who had heard tales of the tree, which sowed the seeds of my writing
this piece. The ‘Elephant tree’ is now very much part of our towns’ history. An old sycamore still survives in the Park, photographed in January 2021, but without the very distinctive “elephant” branch.
As ever, I am so grateful to everyone who contacts me after reading these ‘Glances’.
It was a much-loved sight in town
I was recently given this photograph taken in about 1910, taken by Mr C Vorley of Raunds and believed to be somewhere local, possibly in Islip. Can anyone identify either the location and/ or the people?
Email me at ericfranklin2@hotmail.com
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