Twenty years ago a family who had lived and worked on a farm in Zimbabwe were forced to flee to England. They lost everything they owned, but were grateful to be given a small bungalow in Walford to live in but they now face losing the beloved garden they created once again.

Nell Adams, who has been recently widowed, told the Ross Gazette they when she arrived with her husband, Roy, there was no garden. Roy set about transforming the bare patch into an oasis for wildlife. Nell said that for the last ten years of his life Roy suffered with Parkinson’s and Dementia and sitting among the trees brought him great comfort.

Nell and her two daughters, who have also settled in this country, were very distressed when Herefordshire Housing which owns and manages the small estate of terraced bungalows at Fowbridge Gardens, told them that their had been complaints that the garden was overgrown, blocking light and needed to be reduced.

A spokesperson for Herefordshire Housing said that they are concerned about the risk of trees or branches falling and root growth undermining structures nearby. "While we understand the sensitivities around these trees, we have a duty of care to all our tenants."

A meeting between the Customer Account Manager, the tenant and her family is arranged for this week. Herefordshire Housing is confident that an agreement can be reached which is acceptable to all parties and resolves this matter.See the full story in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition here