Fowl play? Mysterious disappearance of beloved chicken-shaped tree’s head

By Daniel Jae Webb via SWNS

Locals fear fowl play by a council after the head disappeared from a chicken-shaped tree - which has been a village landmark for twenty years.

The so-called roadside ''Chicken Tree'' has become a local favourite in Wroughton, Wilts in England.

It has been dubbed the village's 'Angel of the North' and has been popular for more than two decades.

But locals were left gutted when the tree was 'decapitated' and left only with a body and tail whilst the busy B-road was closed for roadworks.

Residents suspect Swindon Borough Council contractors, who were carrying out work immediately opposite the Chicken Tree on the B4005 Brimble Hill.

Locals and councillors launched an investigation claiming the tree had become the victim of heath and safety.

Some were concerned the workers had chopped the chicken's head off on purpose.

But in a statement the council claimed the head fell off naturally.

It said: "The branch fell due to high winds and not as a result of the contractors.

“There was a grab lorry adjacent and the branch fell on it."

A Swindon Borough Council spokesman confirmed that the branch had fallen due to nature and was unconnected to the work being carried out by the contractors.

Villager Steve Bessent said the journey along the B4005 with "no longer be the same".

"The local landmark 'Chicken Tree' has been disfigured, whether by accident or design we may never know", he remarked.

Adding: "More than just a tree, it acted as our farewell and welcome home, a friend stood on the roadside waiting for the smiling faces to pass by.

"Not all landmarks are made of steel or stone, some are provided by nature, perhaps these above all, we cherish the most.

"With its head removed, it will be a constant reminder of how one thoughtless act or force of nature can affect so many people."

Former long-term Swindon Borough Council leader Rod Bluh, who lives in Wroughton, said it was a "very sad loss" and hopes it will regrow into the shame shape.

Another local suggested the destruction of the tree be marked with an "annual chicken tree dance or something to pay our respect as a community".

"It's amazing that when the wind took it down, there just happened to be a grab lorry working in the immediate vicinity", one dubious resident pointed out.

"I also wasn't aware that the wind had been that strong recently", he added.

Another villager said: "Why can’t they just own up to the fact they did it and really don’t give a damn."

"I’ll be relieved to find it was nature rather than human interference… makes it much more bearable", another upset local said.