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Bunhill: That old chestnut

Nicholas Faith
Saturday 16 July 1994 23:02 BST
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UNDER the village chestnut tree, ran the old ditty, the village smithy stands. The mystique continues to exercise its power as David Crossland is finding out to his cost. The ambitious chairman of Airtours, Britain's second biggest tour operator, is determined to keep his head office in the peaceful Lancashire village of Helmshore. But this involves new building, and the locals are upset that the expansion may destroy a village playground and undermine what is described as 'the finest horse chestnut tree in Rossendale.' Despite assurances from the borough engineer that the tree will be undamaged, the villagers have founded what they call Caring Residents Against Airtours Sabotaging Helmshore,' or Craash. Serve them right if Airtours just took off for one of the many, equally delectable, spots that would welcome the firm with open arms.

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