Bright Oak

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The "Bright Oak" historically stands as a notable meeting place for wise and powerful people to share information and solve problems.

Early Celtic tribes in the UK frequently met at prominent features of the landscape. Such meetings were held for celebrations, to share information and to resolve problems. One such meeting place near Leodis (Headingley in Leeds, UK) was an oak tree in the forest [1].

This great shire oak was prominent due to its exceptionally bright and shiny leaves. It is believed to have stood in the centre of the village for 1500 years but finally collapsed in 1941 [2]. [3]

The tree, and therefore the meeting place, was named "Siaraches". Literally translated from Old English "Siar" means Bright and "Aches" means Oak.

It was a focal point for the kingdom of Elmet [4], and when the Vikings invaded and Headingley became part of the Wapentake of Skyrack (a variation of Siaraches)[5], a local court met often beneath its wide branches.

Whether by coincidence or design businesses have taken the name. Many housing developments in the US include the name Bright Oak, and businesses include a US new media producer [6], a UK financial services provider [7], and Italian fund manager Bright Oak plc listed on the Irish stock exchange.

With such a long history Headingley was unwilling to give up its living symbol and in 1956 an oak sapling was planted on the ancient site in the centre of the village.