A FAMILY of four in Bridestowe had a lucky escape on Thursday when a tree came crashing down and just missed their home. The beech tree, which is believed to be more than 100 years old, toppled over in gale force winds of between 70mph and 80mph into the gardens of the Old Butler's Lodge on the Millaton Estate, by the old Launceston Road. It came down with an almighty thump at 7.20am and fortunately missed the house where the Turney family were just getting up. Inside the five bedroomed lodge were Trevor, his wife Julia, 41, who is a pension project manager, and their two children Daniel, five, and daughter Eleanor, two and a half, who were waking at the time. Daniel is a pupil at Bridestowe School. Trevor, 46, a house-husband, and his family moved to the lodge over two years ago. He told the Times: 'I was just getting dressed when I heard an almighty crack and wondered what had happened. 'I looked out to see and the wind had completely brought down this tree that had been there for at least 100 years, if not 150. 'I could see all the roots come up. The garden is in a right mess. Fortunately, it didn't hit the lodge or it could have been fatal.' The angle of its descent meant it just missed not only the five-bedroomed lodge but also two garden sheds. 'We had a man who came to cut it up and it has taken three days because the tree is so big. It is a relief that it has come down, in terms of health and safety, and we are just glad we are all safe and sound.' At the nearby Millaton House two 100ft fir pine trees, which were 40 to 50 years old, were also felled by the storms last week, although no damage was done to nearby property.
