A girl guiding group in Alsager is hoping a cherry tree planted to mark their 100th anniversary will reshoot after it was vandalised and broken in half. 

Alsager Girl Guiding has reported the vandalism to police after finding the top of the tree in Cedar Avenue had been snapped off. 

Now leaders of the group, which is celebrating its centenary year, are hoping the tree will start to form a new shoot and regrow. 

The group was planning to have a plaque made for the tree to mark the group's 100th year celebrations this year – 1924 – 2024. 

As well as marking this milestone, the group hoped that the tree would grow, as Girlguiding locally looks forward to the next one hundred years. 

Girlguiding Alsager is celebrating its centenary year this year. (Image: Girlguiding Alsager)

The group said on their Facebook page: " Imagine our disappointment and sadness, when we discovered that our tree had been vandalised and broken in half. 

"Do the perpetrators of this mindless act of vandalism realise how much effort it takes for grow, plant a tree and how extremely disappointing and heartbreaking this to all those who were involved in this project?" 

Joint District Commissioner Teresa Longhurst, said: "Back in November 2023, Girlguiding Alsager, with the support of Alsager Town Council and ANSA planted the cherry tree along the edge of the playing fields Cedar Avenue Alsager. 

"This tree was funded by money raised by the members of Girlguiding Alsager to mark our local centenary year. 

"As well as marking this milestone, it was hoped that this tree would grow, as Girlguiding locally looks forward to the next one hundred years. 

"Our plan was to have a plaque made to put on tree, when it was more in leaf. I hope the tree may reshoot. It's such a shame as it was doing well. It looks like vandalism which is so sad."  

Alsager resident, Rachel White, who set the wheels in motion for the tree when she was an Alsager town councillor, said: "It cost a considerable amount to buy and be planted, at the right time of year, with stake and support. 

"The land it was planted on is owned by Cheshire East and it took a while to get their permission to plant and organise a local tree supplier. 

"This tree was established and doing well. It took years to get it to this point. We need trees - trees make most areas look better and trees are good for wildlife and provide shade. 

"It would be good to ensure the person(s) who vandalised this tree knows all these facts." 

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