I READ with interest your report on the damaged mulberry tree (Echo April 10).

If this is the tree which was originally in the playground of the old Poole Grammar School; then it is well over 50 years old.

In the fifties we boys used the tree to play football-cricket.

The tree served as a wicket and the “batsman” kicked the ball that was bowled to him in order to gain runs.

DEREK SERCOMBE Littledown Avenue, Bournemouth