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Forbes
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Forbes
Feast On Wine, Food And Tranquility On Sardinia's Sant'Antioco Island
Cala Sapone, Sant'Antioco, Sardinia, Italy getty The Italian Island of Sardinia in the Mediterranean Sea includes Sant'Antioco, a southern sub-island attached via a constructed isthmus. This isle is 42 square miles (109 square kilometers) in area, about twice the size of New York's Manhattan Island or the same size as the city of Florence. The population is about 11,000—half of one percent of that of Manhattan and 3% of that in Florence. Sant'Antioco is Italy's fourth largest island (after Sardinia, Sicily and Elba) and is generally unvarnished, uncrowded, tranquil and embedded with layers of maritime history, crisscrossing cultural influences, nuanced cuisine and darkly rich wines made from the Carignan grape. The island's main city is also named Sant'Antioco. It was founded as a port by Phoenicians between 780 and 770 BCE, who named it Sulcis, or Sulky. They constructed main roads straight up hillsides and side roads parallel to the sea. Emperor Hadrian of Rome exiled a Mauritanian African doctor named Antiochus to this island—irked by his treason of spreading Christianity. This banished teacher and preacher died on Sant'Antioco in 127 A.D. but was eventually canonized as a saint (and provided the island a new name). The city's wide waterfront promenade, the lungomare, includes segments named Cristoforo Colombo and Caduti Nassiriya. While walking there during a somnolent weekday morning I saw more chatting retirees and fishermen there than joggers. Seagulls cruise over fishing boats, and there are delicious water front views of distant mainland mountains. The city is mildly inclined. From this promenade I walked inland and uphill toward the archaeological museum, curious to learn how Phoenicians, Punics, Roman, Vandals, Byzantines and medieval kingdoms once ruled this isle. Seagulls off the coast of Sant'Antioco, Sardinia, Italy getty I passed buildings painted orange, pink, yellow and tangerine as well as a man in wellington boots stepping into his turquoise colored Fiat Panda, perhaps en route to harvest crops. I paced over red, brown, ash and mauve colored street stones and along high, narrow sidewalks of Via Dante Alighieri to arrive at Piazza di Chiesa. Here the handsome yellow and gray Palazzo del Capitolo building is close to Jana's Café, where tank topped and tattooed visitors sipped rather than chugged espressos. A street placard explained how the fifth century basilica there was built on the tomb of Antiochus, and how the Festival of Saint Antioco has reveled annually for 665 years. Neat street signs pointed to ample historical locales within an easy amble—Roman Fountain, Su Pisu Fort, Necropolis and Hypogeum Village. The square also includes small stores that sell frutta e verdura (fruit and veg), pizza and tobacco, while Café del Borgo serves both wine and cappuccino. Although portions of urban Sant'Antioco can appear raw and ramshackle, this is part of the attraction of this low key, low-crime, visitor friendly city where locals are generous in sharing their time. I continued past balconies and window planters and fluttering red pendants, remnants from the city's last festival. Open spaces and gardens were crammed with cane, cacti, fig trees and pigeon coos. The town also includes several three wheeled Piaggio pickup trucks—not big enough to haul a refrigerator but svelte enough to navigate through narrow alleys. The well organized, almost two-decade old archaeological museum faces a serene view of the Mediterranean Sea. Sections relate history (in both Italian and English) of waves of immigration to the island, of the complexity of local burial chambers and of the Nuragi people who—between 1600 and 800 BCE— built conical stone towers and communal burial chambers all over Sardinia. I next returned to the heart of Sant'Antioco city where waves pummeled boats, many named after people (Roberta & Michael; Jennifer II; Erico Padre) —perhaps an island emphasis more focused on persons than possessions. One fisherman stood in his boat selling fresh catches. Most visitors that day appeared to be Italian, but there was also a German bicyclist group and young Nordic couples in beige and khaki apparel strutting below swaying pine and palm trees. Near the waterfront I sat on a sunlit terrace of Cooperativa Pescatori I Due Fratelli (two brothers' fishing cooperative) and ordered crunchy, tasty fried frittura del golfo (mixed fried local fish) with a local Rubiu artisan beer followed by a glass of racy Vermentino white wine. Mixed fried fish served in Sant'Antioco, Sardinia, Italy Tom Mullen Cream and bronze colored Vespas purred past thin diners who gesticulated with energy and verve, and suddenly a sense of easiness covered me like mist—a souvenir from this tranquil city of rakish roads and residents who do not rush. Later while shopping, I spoke with an Asian store attendant who described city life as 'piano, piano,' or, slowly and quietly. Staff at the local tourist office of Visit Sant'Antioco are professional and helpful and shared maps and printed information. A young woman named Chiara Elias told how the city includes Byssus Museum, dedicated to fabrics made from byssus sea silk, created by a shellfish that can grow up to five feet in size. She also pointed to other city museums on a map, including MUMA —the Museum of Sea and Shipwrights, which is also a hostel. There are several annual festivals in town, including Sa Festa Mamma—the great feast—that celebrates Saint Antiochus with processional floats and folk music and slow baked, decorated bread called su coccòi de su santu. Local food is generally fresh and city restaurants include Da Zia Pinuccia, a 'home restaurant' where the owners cook dishes adjacent to diners, then eat with them. I sat with others at a sumptuous linen table next to kitchen burners and an open fire grill and feasted on charcuterie, homemade pasta, grilled pig and a decadent range of desserts that included ricotta stuffed formagelle pastries and amaretti biscuits. 'Home restaurant' dining at Da Zia Pinuccia, Sant'Antioco, Sardinia, Italy Tom Mullen In June, Altantic bluefin tuna (called 'red tuna' because of the color of their flesh) are caught off the coast of Sant'Antioco. Prized for flavor, they pair well with red Carignan wine—itself sublime. To learn more about this wine I drove together with fifth generation Sant'Antioco winemaker Erica Verona and her father Stefano for twenty minutes to the island's second main town of Calasetta in the northwest. The vehicle passed lemon trees, towering cacti, howling dogs, olive groves and Indian figs as well as gardens planted with eggplants and fava beans. We parked in town and paced up Via Umberto, which in the past was a main street. Residents sometimes still lay out a long communal dinner table along this road, and require all neighborhood attendees to dress in white. As we walked, Erica spoke of her family. Erica's great grandfather was one of a group of 15 that formed a wine cooperative in Sant'Antioco in 1932, the first in Sardinia. Their family now owns 10 acres (four hectares) of land and produce mostly wine from Carignan grapes, together with vintages made from Monica and Vermentino grapes. Their juice is bottled at a local cooperative (the island has two), which is typical for local winemakers to save on capital investment costs. Winemakers Roboamo Stefano Verona and daughter Erica in Calasetta, Sant'Antioco, Sardinia, Italy Tom Mullen We left the city and drove to a seaside cliff with a Mediterranean view. Erica studied law and works in Cagliari city on Sardinia's mainland, an hour away by car. She assists her family with producing wine—but her need to juggle both job and winemaking is a challenge. Her dream is to construct a family winery and tasting room, and she has selected a prime location with an ocean and cliff view (their wine label is La Scogliera, which means 'the cliff'). Another local Sant'Antioco winemaker is Roberto Matzeu of Azienda Agricola Piede Franco. Roberto, now in his mid-forties, studied environmental engineering. After winning a competition as one of the best new winemakers in Italy, he decided in 2020 to dedicate himself full time to producing wine. He and his father began with less than an acre and now rent 12 acres (five hectares) of vines. Roberto appreciates distinct local conditions at their vineyards.' 'The microclimate here is unique. The sandy soil moves due to wind, like a sand dune. Because the north wind has salt, salinity is high.' Winemaker Roberto Matzeu of Piede Franco at his vines on Sant'Antioco, Sardinia, Italy Tom Mullen The lives of these two winemakers—lawyer and engineer—epitomize tensions faced by grape growers. Both studied so they could secure alternate incomes than provided by viticulture; both now clamor to return to family vines to derive full time income. Fortunately, the quality of Sant'Antioco Carignan wines can be excellent. Beginning in 1325, the Aragonese people, based partially in what is today's Catalonia in northeastern Spain, began occupying Sardinia. They likely introduced the grape Carignan, which thrives in hot, dry climates with soils rich in minerals. Until a few decades ago, Carignan grapes were grown in Italy, France, Spain and Algeria to produce high yield, low quality juice with high acidity and astringent tannins. This was often blended with wine from other grapes. In the 1980's wine cooperatives, such as Santadi, began reducing yields and improving quality. Many Sant'Antioco wines are today classified under the Carignano del Sulcis DOC, and the overall reputation for Sant'Antioco's Carignan has soared. These wines can stand alone as beauties, with dark complex flavors that resemble a Sangiovese, chocolate notes similar to those from a Syrah and the slight herbaceousness of a Cabernet Franc. After the European Community decided to reduce low quality, high yield wine production in the 1980's, the number of grapevines diminished from 8.5 square miles in area (2,200 hectares) to today's 500 acres (200 hectares) on Sant'Antioco. Producers are now focused on lower yields and higher quality. Pariglia equestrian competition of Sant Antioco, Sardinia, Italy getty The island's vines are hardy, and many of the vines are old. Intriguingly, the sandy soils of Sant'Antioco prevented the spread of the phylloxera disease in the mid 19th centuryl which decimated grapevines worldwide. Today, most wines produced from Carignan on the island remain 'ungrafted' and do not need to be attached to any separate disease resistance rootstock, like most other grapevines on earth. Erica shared how she wants more visitors to sample the wines of Sant'Antioco. 'People don't know this island. They know Costa Smeralda in north, Here we have undiscovered beaches. There are buildings painted white and blue, like Greece but without the party vibe. Visitors like to walk around and take a towel to the beach. Living near the sea is almost like being on vacation all the time. It's a state of mind. People here know how to live, and not just during vacation. We should also try to make Sant'Antioco an enjoyable destination for wine.' [A companion article titled Sardinian Wines—Sculpted By Wind, Salt, Soil And Scrub, is here.] The following are tasting notes for various Sant'Antioco wines made from the Carignan grape. Tenuta Agus Binuforti. Rosato. 2022. 90+ points. Owned by Daniela Agus and her husband Daniele Garau. From the hot 2022 vintage. Dark cherry colored rosé. Aromas of wet limestone, golden syrup and light red fruit. Flavors include red cherries. A syrupy, easy to drink barbecue wine to pair with teriyaki shish kebab skewers. Lacking an acidic edge but gastronomic. Tenuta La Scogliera. Rüzò. Rosé. 2024. 90-91 points Light salmon/cherry color in this 12% alcohol rosé from a producer's name which means 'the cliff' because of the view from their vines. Aromas of mandarins, red cherries and candy cane. Minerality, slight salinity and light flavors with a voluptuous bright cherry and slight caramel finish. Pair with salmon or cod. Tenuta La Sabbiosa. DOC Carignano del Sulcis. 2019. 92+ points. First organically certified wine from Sant'Antioco. Fresh, fruit forward aromas of charcoal and slight caramel as well as maple syrup and maquis scrub. Somewhat complex with pronounced flavors of rich red fruit such as raspberries, as well as bacon and sage. Firm tannic backbone. Pair with charcuterie and grape leaf wrapped dolma. Winemaker Massimo Pusceddu of Tenuta la Sabbiosa, Sant'Antioco, Sardinia, Italy Tom Mullen Azienda Agricola Piede Franco. Bellesa Riserva. DOC Carignano del Sulcis. 2020. 91-92 points. Aged in French oak for one year with battonage stirring of lees every 25 days. Balanced, pleasant, generous aromas of fruit, maquis scrub and red plums. Semi complex wine includes an excellent mid palate with the heft of a Sangiovese and flavors that include red cherries, mocha and salty black Dutch dorp licorice. Tenuta La Sabbiosa. Superiore. DOC Carignano del Sulcis. 2019. 91-92 points. Hefty aromas of red plums, maraschino cherries and eucalyptus. Linear in the mouth with soft tannins, bright acidity, and a crunchy mid palate. Easy drinking and well balanced with a long finish. Pair with lentils and beef. Tenuta La Scogliera. Raije. DOC Carignano del Sulcis. 2021. 93-94 points. Perfumed, rich and layered aromas include florals, brownies, Amarone, lava cake and black cherries. Flavors akin to a right bank Bordeaux wine that is complex and layered with slight flavors of molasses and bacon and a hint of mint on the finish. Delicious dark layers in this gastronomic wine that was aged in steel with frequent battonage stirring. Azienda Agricola Eleonora Piga. Mudo. DOC Carignano del Sulcis. 2021. 92+ points. Aromas of orange peels, eucalyptus and maquis scrub as well as a light perfume of violets and lavender. Rich and angular yet also rounded, with a classic Carignan tannic sheen. Winemaker Eleonora Piga of Mudo wines, Sant'Antioco, Sardinia, Italy Tom Mullen Carpante. DOC Carignano del Sulcis. 2021. 92+ points. Rich aromas of chocolate, gorse and sage. A meaty and delicious set of flavors that include dark brownies, as well as Amarone and sultanas on the finish. Balanced with suave tannins. A gastronomic wine. Azienda Agricola Piede Franco. Bellesa Riserva. DOC Carignano del Sulcis. 2021. 93-94 points. Rich aromas of Amarone, maquis scrub, black licorice and eucalyptus as well as wild fennel. A dark star that is balanced and elegant, rich and layered with chocolate flavors like that of a Baboso Negro wine from the Canary Islands, as well as rich bacon/minestrone hues; reminiscent of a Syrah from northern Rhone. Bentesali. DOC Carignano del Sulcis. 2021. 92 points. Linear aromas of dark chocolate and flavors that include wild fennel and stroganoff. Complex and enticing. Xabarra. DOC Carignano del Sulcis. 2022. 93-94 points. Hefty aromas of brownies, red plums, Amarone and sultanas. Suave tannins in a layered mid palate that includes flavors of figs and red plums. Crisp acidity. Tenuta Agus – Binuforti. DOC Carignano del Sulcis. 2022. 93+ points. Dark and hefty aromas of Amarone, figs and lava cake. Rich, layered and balanced. Winemaker Daniela Agus of Tenuta Agus - Binuforti, Sant'Antioco, Sardinia, Italy Tom Mullen Bentesali. Santomoro. DOC Carignano del Sulcis. 2022. 93-94 points. The name of this winery means 'salty wind.' Vines growing on black silt and sand are lined parallel to the direction of the mistral wind from the north. Aged for up to eight months in new large oak barrels. Aromas of petrol, tar, red cherries and oranges. Extracted and classic. Ripe rich dark fruit flavors—think Sangiovese with the heft of a Syrah. Tenute La Scogliera. Raije. DOC Carignano del Sulcis. 2023. 92-93 points. This includes the same complexity of the 2021, but is fresher for easier drinking. Rich red and ripe fruit aromas, as well as those of elicriso and red cherries. Structured and statured tannins but still light and fresh. XA Barra. DOC Carignano del Sulcis. 2023. 92-93 points. Co-owner Catteo Bettina is a fourth generation female winemaker who uses massal selection to grow vines on sandy soils. Wild aromas of green grass and sage and tobacco, as we as fig newtons and Provence herbs. Gentle tannins in this well balanced wine with flavors of brownies, red fruit and blackberries. Slight ginger and sage on the finish. Brisk underlying, supporting acidity. Binu Forti. DOC Carignano del Sulcis. 2023. 92-93 points. Aromas of maquis scrub in this wine that shines with red fruit aromas and includes mouth watering acidity. Flavors include raspberries and black licorice and slight menthol. Azienda Agricola Piede Franco. Bellesa Riserva. DOC Carignano del Sulcis. 2022. 94 points. Stunning label image made from a photograph of winemaker Roberto Matzeu's wife when vacationing in Tunisia. Aromas of red cherries and cedar. Rich, brilliant, crunchy and comlplex mid palate with flavors of lava cake and a slight mint finish. Well structured tannins balanced with supporting bright acidity. Pair with shish kebab or with pasta and truffles.
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Hadiran CEO Power Speaks on Re-Shoring High Skill Labor
Hadrian CEO Chris Power speaks at the Reagan National Economic Forum in California on re-industrialization and the re-shoring of high skill labor. He says you "have to automate" due to the lack of high skill laborers, but when automation and AI cannot do the job, a highly productive workforce is important. (Source: Bloomberg)
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Roman mosaic art on display at Humayun's Tomb Museum in Delhi
Two fishermen carefully withdraw their nets from a river. The sunlight gleams on their bodies, and their sinewy arms appear tense, completely employed in their task. Their stance is wide, so as to not slip, and their jaws alert, eyes intensely focused on the task at hand; one of them appears to be instructing the other. This detailed image is not a photograph, but a 1,900-year-old mosaic tile made entirely of rocks not larger than a few millimetres. This is one of the five original pieces of art from Rome's Capitoline Museum, which are currently displayed at the Humayun's Tomb Museum as part of ongoing Mosaico exhibition. These pieces are roughly 1,700 to 1,900-year-old, and are on display till August 30. This is the first time that an international exhibition is being hosted at the museum located near Sunder Nursery. The exhibition follows the history of mosaics across Italy, spanning over 2,000 years. It is divided into seven areas, each depicting mosaics from an Italian city or town. The mosaics, seen through videos projected onto the walls, depict a variety of scenes from Italian history. These range from the famous wars of Alexander the Great and religious Christian imagery that adorn the ceilings of 5th century churches, to the daily habits and customs of Roman people at the time. 'The exhibition is articulated in two parts,' says Andrea Anastasio, director of the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre in Delhi, one of the organisers of the exhibition. 'It is a visual journey to take the viewer through the history of mosaics in Italy, and to make them understand the technique of Mosaic.' The five mosaics constituting the centrepiece of the exhibition are placed in a near-pitch black room. One is drawn to the tiles illuminated with yellow — the only lights in the room. One of the mosaics, visualising peacocks, originated from Roman emperor Hadrian's villa built around 120 AD, says Anastasio. The piece showcasing the fishermen is special for two reasons, he says. First, the colour shading is achieved using a sophisticated technique involving micro tesserae (small blocks of material used in mosaics), and second, the piece was excavated almost entirely intact. 'The original Roman cement that holds the entire mosaic is intact, whereas the other mosaics have been reconstructed on a new cemented base,' he added. Other pieces include a checkerboard pattern of alternating colours which the museum describes as a floor mosaic that originally decorated two rooms of Piazza d'Oro, a complex within Hadrian's villa. Another, stated to be 'probably a wall mosaic', depicts multiple motifs running across the design, and stands out due to its heavy usage of glass tiles. The description of a mosaic featuring the bust of a muscular male athlete states that it was originally part of a bath complex built by Roman emperor Septimius Severus in the late first century or early second century. A mosaic depicting two peacocks discusses themes of life, death, and resurrection. In it, one peacock is pecking a small bird on the ground, which is next to a poppy and other small plants. The description states that the peacock was a bird sacred to Dionysus, and symbolised immortality and resurrection beyond death. 'The beauty of this exhibition is in making the viewer understand the fascination of humans to reproduce reality in all forms,' said Anastasio. The second part of the exhibition will be held from October 2025 to March 2026, displaying 120 art pieces procured from the Museum of Civilization in Quebec. The main focus of the exhibition, Anastasio said, will be on floral motifs shared by different civilisations, from the Mediterranean to the Indus Valley. Aside from the Mosaico exhibition, the Humayun's Tomb Museum is currently also displaying a collection of antiquities and historical artefacts and models showing the history of Delhi, the focus being the emperor the tomb is dedicated to.
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful little UK town bursting with charm completely ignored by tourists
This market town in Northumberland is ideal for history buffs and nature-lovers, home to plenty of impressive monuments, walking trails and within close proximity of one of the UK's most iconic ruins The UK certainly has no shortage of picturesque destinations to explore, but if you are trying to avoid the summer crowds you'll need to expand your horizons. Instead of opting for hotspot staycation sites like the Cotswolds and the Lake District, consider a trip to Northumberland - this one spot in particular. Hexham in Northumberland is a petit market town that has been highlighted as a top staycation destination by the travel blog The Crazy Tourist, as previously reported by The Mirror. Located 25 miles from Newcastle, the town is home to about 13,000 residents and attracts about 120,000 visitors annually. Situated between the Northumberland National Park and the North Pennines National Landscape, visitors will have plenty of stunning vistas and landmarks to explore. Hexham is also home to family-friendly parks and green spaces, including the Sele, Hexham House and the beloved Hexham Abbey grounds. Originally built in 674AD with materials repurposed from Roman ruins, Hexham Abbey was rebuilt in the 13th century. Markers of the grounds' Roman history are present in the form of pagan dedications as well. Hexham Abbey has restored much of its medieval monastery complex - the Priory Buildings - to an impeccable standard. The impressive buildings are fully licensed premises and can thus be rented out as an event space for weddings, banquets and luncheons. For those interested in diving further into the area's rich history, Hadrian's Wall is conveniently close. Just a short drive from the town's centre, the Wall stretches 73 miles from coast to coast. It was originally built to serve as the north-western frontier of the Roman empire. Construction of Hadrian's Wall began in 122AD by order of emperor Hadrian and was defended by regiments of 500 to 1,000 infantry and cavalry men. Today, the Hadrian's Wall Path allows travellers to follow directly in the footsteps of Roman soldiers. There are plenty of trails for curious visitors to traverse given the Wall's unique settlement across two of England's most picturesque counties. Following the popular Birdoswald Roman trail will set visitors along a path set against the River Irthing and down the longest continuous stretch of the Wall. Another moderate path is the Housesteads Roman trail, which covers some of the most peaceful parts of the Northumberland National Park. This specific trail provides access to Walltown Crags - the majestic countryside area - and the Dark Sky Discovery Site of Cawfields. One final historic landmark that must be highlighted is the Hexham Old Gaol, which is England's oldest purpose-built prison. Constructed in 1333, the medieval prison served as a detention site for nearly half a millennium, where inmates were required to fund their own sustenance and attire. A Scheduled Ancient Monument, the Gaol is both a fun and educational destination. Visitors can uncover a bounty of music, poetry and books about the English-Scottish border in the interior Border Library Collection while more daring guests can try out the stocks. The town is not just a hub for history, it also has many modern attractions to boast. For instance, the Hexham Racecourse is the only racecourse in Northumberland and considered one of the most scenic in the country. Another modern marvel is the Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre. The contemporary glass building is a community hub and learning centre, hosting an array of exhibits throughout the year. The centre also offers impressive views of the Northumberland National Park. Finally, the Queen's Hall Arts Centre - located opposite the Hexham Abbey - is a draw for the best international and national artists. The Victorian building boasts a 350-seat theatre to watch dancers, musicians and dramatic artists and is also home to two art galleries.
ITV News
09-05-2025
- ITV News
'The odd couple': The 'spectacular' falling out between the men who felled the Sycamore Gap tree
'Best of pals' - that's the phrase used by Daniel Graham in court to describe his relationship with Adam Carruthers around the time of September 2023, when the Sycamore Gap tree was felled. But their roles in felling the famous tree would sour that friendship, and the 'spectacular' fallout would later play out in court, where both of them were found guilty of two counts of criminal damage - one to the tree itself, the other to Hadrian's Wall. They are due to be sentenced later this year. "Stumbled upon each other" Adam Carruthers, 32, is a mechanic by trade. He was regularly called on by Daniel Graham to maintain the fleet of vehicles he used for his groundworks business. Their relationship moved from a business arrangement to a friendship in devastating circumstances. In 2021, Graham's father took his own life. Graham told the court that Carruthers had "done him a good turn" by repairing his father's prized Land Rover, which he described as his "pride and joy". The work meant Carruthers calling in favours and working through the night to ensure it was ready for the funeral service. Over time, the two grew closer together. Carruthers said he and Graham 'stumbled upon each other as friends' - that they would see each other as often as four times a week and would speak on the phone almost daily. Graham told the court that he was not sociable - he had a small circle of friends, and if he wasn't spending time with his partner, he could normally be found with Carruthers. The pair also worked together. Carruthers told the court how he had helped Graham to tarmac a drive, before working on him to "trim some trees" on five or six occasions. Any money earned from the work would be split down the middle between the two. Felling the tree At the time the Sycamore Gap tree was felled, Carruthers had just become a father for a second time. His partner was recovering at home following a caesarian section and he was staying with her at her caravan in Kirkbride. The pair set off together on the night of Wednesday 27 September 2023, travelling towards the Sycamore Gap in Graham's black range rover. The journey would take around 40 minutes from Graham's home near Carlisle. They parked at Steel Rigg car park and completed the roughly 20 minute walk to the tree on foot. While one held the chainsaw, the other filmed the act on Graham's iPhone. Once the job was done, the pair set off back towards Carlisle. Graham sent Carruthers the footage of the tree being felled. In the boot of the Range Rover, a short video was taken of the so-called "trophy" - a wedge believed to have been removed from the tree in order to bring it down. A long bar chainsaw is also visible. Metadata contained within the image indicates it was taken on Graham's phone in his yard. In the hours following the tree coming down, the prosecution said the pair 'revelled' in what they had done, exchanging messages, voice notes and screenshots between them. In response to an image of the cut on the stump, Graham messaged: "Not a bad angle on that cut. Must have been a professional.' "It's gone viral," came one voice message between the pair. "It will be on ITV News tonight." The friendship unravels In the wake of the felling, the friendship began to unravel. Both men were arrested under caution on 31 October 2023. Both denied being anywhere near the Sycamore Gap tree when it was felled, or having any involvement whatsoever in the tree coming down. Under interview, Graham describes Carruthers as "a good lad" and despite telling the court he had been told directly by his friend that he had cut down the tree, he refused to give a name as he didn't want to be a "grass" Shortly after their arrest, Graham met with DS Calum Meikle - the officer in charge of the investigation - to show him images taken in Carruthers' workshop at Cumbria Turf, where he worked. Carruthers can be seen holding two owls with a number of chainsaws visible behind him. In court, Graham said he had done this because the police that they "hadn't done their job properly" in earlier searches. Carruthers would later tell the court that these chainsaws didn't belong to him. Graham also alleged that Carruthers, along with another man who police say was not a suspect in the case, arrived at his yard shortly after his arrest. He said the pair brought a pizza, which was placed on the bonnet of the Range Rover, and asked him to take the blame "if it all kicked off," as they believed his previous history of struggles with mental health would result in a more lenient sentence. Carruthers denies that this meeting ever took place. The pair did meet one more time - to call time on their friendship. Graham said that, as had become tradition between the two, he had taken Carruthers a milkshake. According to the accounts of both men in court, Graham said would be going his way, Carruthers would go his own way and the pair were no longer friends. The pair were arrested for a second time in November and were charged with criminal damage in April 2024. Graham told the court that publicity around the case was hurting his business. He made contact with police again in August 2024. In an anonymous phone call made to 101, he blamed Carruthers for the felling, and saying that the saws used to fell the tree were now back in his possession. He told the jury, "It was costing me money, affecting my business, then I will f****** grass." The trial During the trial, the pair sat alongside one another in the dock as co-defendants, but no longer as friends. Richard Wright, prosecuting, said, that the pair had "lost their courage" since the felling and that they had now blamed each other for the crime. Mr Wright said the two men were "in it together from first to last". He told jurors they were "the odd couple... Two men who did everything together and who, you can be sure, were together this night as well". Carruthers and Graham were found guilty by a jury of causing criminal damage. They are due to be sentenced on 15 July.
