Latest news with #NorthumberlandNationalParkAuthority
Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Remarkable history of felled Sycamore Gap tree from film icon to bitter feud
Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were convicted this week after being found guilty of cutting down Northumberland's famous Sycamore Gap tree. But what is it about this felled tree that made it so special to so many? The Sycamore Gap tree, which once stood proudly in a dip next to Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, was chopped down in a shocking act of vandalism, causing uproar among locals. But what do we know about its remarkable history? The beloved Sycamore tree was the scene of marriage proposals, sentimental moments, and the scattering of ashes, and held deep personal significance to many of those in the area. When it was illegally felled in the early morning of September 28, 2023, Brits up and down the country expressed dismay and outrage. Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were convicted of two counts of criminal damage earlier this week after cutting down the famous Sycamore Tree. Here, the Mirror takes a look at the rich 150-year history of this special tree, which has been immortalised in film, photographs, and countless memories. The famous tree had been growing in a natural dip along Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland for approximately 150 years before it was savagely cut down by the men who could now face up to 10 years in to the village of Once Brewed, the Northumberland National Park Authority stated that the site was its "most-photographed spot" In late 2016, it was even crowned English Tree of the Year in the Woodland Trust's awards. It has also made its way into literature, with author LJ Ross, whose second novel was named after the tree, having previously spoken about how many creatives "felt inspired" by it. It was also a focal point along the 84-mile (135km) Hadrian's Wall route between Wallsend in North Tyneside and Bowness-on-Solway, Cumbria and has been described as a 'symbol of the North East'. The tree became famous after appearing in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner. Afterwards, it gained the nickname the Robin Hood Tree, although in reality, it was some 170 miles (273 km) from Sherwood National Trust, which looks after the site with the Northumberland National Park Authority, said it was planted in the late 1800s by previous landowner John Clayton to be a "feature in the landscape". Sadly, the tree is no more, with jurors at Newcastle Crown Court hearing how Graham and Carruthers thad filmed themselves on their 'moronic mission' before bragging about their crime in text messages. Carruthers was said to have been motivated by a desire to get a trophy from the tree as a 'souvenir' for his newborn daughter. Meanwhile, a decision made shortly before his trial saw Cumberland council decree eviction from the land Graham used to call home, and he is embroiled in a bitter feud with his family. It's claimed that Graham held a grudge against authorities who rejected his bid to live near Hadrian's Wall. In 2022, he applied for a 'Lawful Development Certificate'. The ground worker took up residence in a caravan next to his stables at Millbeck Stables on the edge of Carlisle, Cumbria, within Hadrian's Wall's UNESCO World Heritage site 'buffer zone'. In the aftermath of the felling, people were keen to share their memories of the tree and why it was so special to them. One social media user tweeted: "The saddest part of Sycamore Gap being felled is that positive human interactions that have existed with it for years have gone to memory. Marriage proposals, generations of families walking along Hadrian's Wall as tradition to see it, ashes scattered, star gazing etc." Another commented: "I am grieving all over again. I scattered my brother's ashes here. This was our place. This was a place in which I found calm and solace, my grounding and orientation. This place means everything to me. This is more than upsetting right now." Hairy Biker Si King, who grew up in County Durham, posted on social media that a "sentinel of time and elemental spirit of Northumberland" had been "murdered".
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Northumberland walk named after Dan Burn 'a boost for business'
Businesses say trade is booming on a walking trail renamed in honour of Newcastle United star Dan Elsdon Burn Walk in Northumberland was renamed the Big Dan Burn Walk as a nod to celebrate his Carabao Cup opening goal, which helped end the team's 70-year wait for a domestic Sewell, landlady of Bird in Bush, says "the difference that it's made has been tremendous", with the pub experiencing an upturn of more than 110% since 2 to the success, Northumberland National Park Authority (NNPA) has extended the name change until to the end of September as a tribute to the 6ft 7in (2m) Blyth-born defender. Burn, 32, will also be made an honorary freeman of Northumberland, after county councillors unanimously voted to back the plans. Black and white stripes The national park authority has invited people on to the two-hour walk, which follows Elsdon Burn, to "reminisce about that header" and celebrate a "local hero's triumph"."Just about every single person that comes into the pub or the coffee shop is either starting the Big Dan Burn Walk, or they're ending the Big Dan Burn Walk," Ms Sewell told BBC Radio Newcastle. Ms Sewell said the increased popularity had been "absolutely amazing"."We've never seen this many people for so long in Elsdon," she Village Hall, which provides toilet and shower facilities on a donation basis, has also seen an increase in day visitor and overnight campers' numbersAn "increase in takings is being appreciated", the national park authority said it had seen plenty of people doing the walk in their black and white Dan Burn Walk stickers have also been put up alongside the current markers. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
National park cuts will axe rangers, bosses say
The head of a national park has said budget cuts mean the public can expect to see fewer rangers and fewer rights of way being maintained. Northumberland National Park Authority (NNPA) head Tony Gates said the body's funding from the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) had been cut by about 8.2% for this financial year. Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) head Gavin Capstick said it was expecting a 9% cut to its grant which he said had the potential "to risk all services we deliver". Defra said it was investing £400m in nature across the country including national parks. Mr Gates said this year's government grant would be about £219,000 less than the previous financial year. Taking into account the rise in national insurance contributions, Mr Gates called the moves the "single largest cut in our revenue budget that we've had in the 20 years that I've worked for this national park". He said the cuts would mean cutting staff, as well as education and outreach programmes. He said national parks were "assets" which could help the public get closer to nature and better understand the impact of climate change. "We're not going to be able to realise that potential," he said. Last month the LDNPA said it would hand over the management of the UK's first national park visitor centre. It said the lease of its Brockhole-on-Windermere site would be put on the market, with nine staff having already been made redundant as part of the move. Mr Capstick said the move was due to increased costs and "continued cuts to funding". "It is already very difficult to meet the local and national ambitions and targets for the National Park," he said. "We urgently need a commitment to adequate and sustainable funding to allow us to continue looking after this special place." Defra said it was also providing a capital uplift of up to £15m to national parks and that it would help the bodies cut "bureaucracy and take an entrepreneurial approach to boost earnings". Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. New ponds to attract wildlife to Lakes attraction Plan to hand over park visitor centre amid cuts Brockhole-on-Windermere
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
Cow attack victim's death an accident
The death of a retired teacher who was trampled by cows was accidental, an inquest jury has ruled. Malcolm Flynn was subjected to a prolonged attack by the cattle while walking with a friend on a footpath near Hadrian's Wall in September 2020. The 72-year-old, from Carlisle, died at the scene in a field at Thirlwell Castle Farm in Gilsland, Northumberland. Jurors were told no individual or body would face gross negligence manslaughter or corporate manslaughter charges. A four-day inquest in Morpeth heard Mr Flynn was walking with fellow-rambler Christopher Barkess, when they encountered the cows with calves. Mr Barkess turned back and shouted to his friend to do the same, but saw him being flipped over, trampled and kicked. He escaped by climbing a tree and called the emergency services. The hearing was told warning signs had been put up by Robert Scott, who farmed the land in a partnership with his son, after an incident where two walkers were hurt the previous year. Mr Scott said he had been advised he would not be allowed to fence off the footpath because posts could damage archaeological objects close to Hadrian's Wall. Jurors found Mr Flynn would have been aware of the cows, having been told about "frisky cattle" by other walkers who had crossed the field, and after a warning from his walking partner. In considering if there were any measures the landowner could have put in place, they found that a fence could have been erected but was not put up due to a number of factors. These were: the "financial impact" on the farmer, guidance from Northumberland National Park Authority and the farmer's belief signage was sufficient after informing the Health and Safety Executive that was what he would do following the 2019 incident, and not hearing anything in reply. Footpaths have since been fenced to protect walkers and the farm has reduced the size of its beef herd from 80 to 55 after Mr Flynn's death. Jurors heard a pen portrait from Mr Flynn's elder daughter Julia Proud, which said her father loved the outdoors. She said: "The tragedy that happened is a bitter pill to swallow as it is something he had done so many times before and enjoyed." Assistant Coroner Kirsten Mercer ruled that the death was accidental. Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram. Police found no crime in fatal cow attack probe Cows trampled and kicked walker to death HM Courts and Tribunals Service
BBC News
27-03-2025
- BBC News
Hadrian's Wall cow attack victim's death an accident, inquest rules
The death of a retired teacher who was trampled by cows was accidental, an inquest jury has Flynn was subjected to a prolonged attack by the cattle while walking with a friend on a footpath near Hadrian's Wall in September 72-year-old, from Carlisle, died at the scene in a field at Thirlwell Castle Farm in Gilsland, were told no individual or body would face gross negligence manslaughter or corporate manslaughter charges. A four-day inquest in Morpeth heard Mr Flynn was walking with fellow-rambler Christopher Barkess, when they encountered the cows with Barkess turned back and shouted to his friend to do the same, but saw him being flipped over, trampled and escaped by climbing a tree and called the emergency services. Beef herd reduced The hearing was told warning signs had been put up by Robert Scott, who farmed the land in a partnership with his son, after an incident where two walkers were hurt the previous Scott said he had been advised he would not be allowed to fence off the footpath because posts could damage archaeological objects close to Hadrian's found Mr Flynn would have been aware of the cows, having been told about "frisky cattle" by other walkers who had crossed the field, and after a warning from his walking considering if there were any measures the landowner could have put in place, they found that a fence could have been erected but was not put up due to a number of were: the "financial impact" on the farmer, guidance from Northumberland National Park Authority and the farmer's belief signage was sufficient after informing the Health and Safety Executive that was what he would do following the 2019 incident, and not hearing anything in have since been fenced to protect walkers and the farm has reduced the size of its beef herd from 80 to 55 after Mr Flynn's death. Jurors heard a pen portrait from Mr Flynn's elder daughter Julia Proud, which said her father loved the said: "The tragedy that happened is a bitter pill to swallow as it is something he had done so many times before and enjoyed."Assistant Coroner Kirsten Mercer ruled that the death was accidental. Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram.
