Police have gone for a criminal damage clause. They'll probably deem the value of the tree value as less than £2500 to minimise investigation work they have to do. This means the max sentence will be 3 month and he might only therefore serve 1 month, (unless mitigated further by social services giving a sob story ). However as prisons are so full the judge will probably follow guidelines and not give a custodial sentence but opt for community service of a 100 hours or so, probably sweeping some vicars church floor etc. He'll be out having a laugh about it with his mates and probably not even show up for the community service.
@@jetarty4196Millions of people don't care about our culture . And the loss of this tree is nothing compared to the millions of trees burned by arsonists ....for various reasons !
This was written by a friend of my daughter. The Sycamore’s Lament Do not weep for me A sycamore tree I knew this day would Come You who have visited me Shared your love and grief with me My roots are still here Though my branches are gone. Come and stand for a while And you may still hear The wind playing soft through my leaves As the birds sing their song Of an old tree’s lament Where I stood over 200 years. Everything changes All beauty must die Or wither and fade or decay And man must destroy What he loves most in the world Through anger, or greed and dismay. So do not forget me A sycamore tree A symbol of ancient folklore Remember a place where a great tree once stood Now a gap with a Sycamore No more.
Let’s be serious here, whoever felled that beautiful tree did so with the sole purpose/intent to hurt the community. I think the police calling it vandalism is a watered down version of what it was. This wasn’t a group a wayward teenagers, no, this took planning, tools, and some skill to execute. I hope whomever is responsible for this is made to suffer for their actions and don’t get some slap on the wrist
Mcfc: I admire your naivety, a fine at the most and If they are very unlucky, a suspend sentence. These people commit these crimes because they know nothing will happen to them. Disgraceful act.
unfortunately, this is britain, the year is 2023, and a 16y,o has been arrested for this disgusting act, expect no more than a small "fine" and a "rap" on the knuckles,they may be made to do some "unpaid work" but I doubt it!!? these as$%^les have no history knowledge or concience ,so don,t expect miracles! these kids have 💩💩💩 4 🧠🧠🧠🧠!!!!
That is not just someone "walking" up there with a chainsaw. Its not an easy "walk". Being local am truly pissed off. The police need to be fully on the ball and catch this person ASAP..
If he got dropped off with two others he's a 300mtre walk. Ten minutes to chop the chop tree down. A quick phone call and pick up. Dump your phones at both ends and off. This is political, not random, vandalism. This is some group rejoicing in our pain because we don't give a shit about theirs.
That was the whole point. This wasn't some random act of vandalism carried out by a wayward teen. The chainsaw used was sharp and there was some skill involved with taking that tree down. British culture & heritage is being destroyed.
I'm with you Eddy, this is Absolutely F*@#ing Dispicable. I'm Absolutely Sick of the teenagers, those 20's, 30's, 40's and Older Scum, who commit moronic, sick acts, going unpunished, time after time. The law, government etc, must crush this problem, with an Iron Fist!!!
I am from Scotland, but my wife and I returned from Northumberland just this week after a great holiday. It was not our first trip to the area as we fell in love with Northumberland last year when we visited the sycamore gap. We walked with our dog from Housesteads Roman Fort, which is a fair distance, but we loved every single second of it and the reward at the end was to see and touch that beautiful tree. The memories of that day will live with us forever. However I was horrified to hear the news and to see the pictures of the tree now lying on it’s side, made me feel physically sick. Whether they catch whoever did this or not, sadly doesn’t matter because the damage is done. The tree should regenerate from the stump, but it won’t look the same and we won’t see it fully grown in our lifetime. 😢
A tree is just a tree, but this was not just any tree. This tree belonged to you and me, and anyone who cared to come by and see, how wonderful a tree can be. But now our tree is gone, and we are left to carry on, to start afresh and renew, the old spectacular view, that warmed the hearts of everyone. So clear the ground we must, and plant again and trust, in times ahead new eyes.will in the gap against the sky, be overwhelmed to see, how wonderful a tree can be. EJ
Just to be clear, it does matter to catch the person or people who did this, I simply meant in terms of the damage done to the tree. I do hope justice is served, in fact if I had my way, they should be publicly named and made to stand at the site for at least a week with a sign telling people what they’ve done, followed by a lengthy prison sentence.
I am gutted, truly upset, and close to crying over this act of pure wickedness. I hope they catch whomever was responsible for this. I'm with you, Eddy. I will gladly do time to punish the absolute bastards.
I’m a qualified arborist and it takes a good saw and a fair bit of skill to fell such a tree (or an incredible amount of luck if you don’t know what you’re doing) especially with such a clean cut. A saw for that job is bloody heavy (total length pushing 40 inches and weighing 20lbs or more) especially over that rough ground for such a distance so I’ll be surprised if it’s just some kid being a twat. I wouldn’t be surprised if a quad bike wasn’t used personally but whoever did it is proper shite and I hope they live a miserable existence as reward for their act.
No doubt the solicitors defending statement will be it was someone suffering from mental health who never got over the fact they weren't picked for their school football team when they were 12 and who's mother wouldn't buy them an Ice Cream at Butlins in 1997. They need leniency because they've only got 107 previous convictions and told their mate Dave in The Lamb & Flag they did it by mistake...
As someone who lives in Northumberland, it is shameful and utterly disgusting act of vandalism. I hope the authorities catch these criminals. Thank you Eddy for letting your suscribers know about this terrible act of human behaviour on our beautiful and treasured landscape of Britain.
@TynesideLife Hi Eddy, thanks for dropping this note. Heartening to read they've apprehended someone so soon after the act. I hope whoever has done this, receives an appropriate sentence. I'm still stunned by this news. I only heard myself around half an hour ago.......and I checked my phone and I saw your video screenshot right there..........I just had to listen. This I'm sure this sad news will be on local and national TV? I'm definitely watching the news when I get home.
This tree at Sycamore Gap is probably the most famous tree in the world. I’ve only just heard about this news now on your channel. I am totally devastated 😢 This is along one of my favourite walks in beautiful Northumberland, which is steeped in history! Was just up there 3 weeks ago. I can only ask? WHY A laugh to share among friends? What sort of mentality would do something like this. Is it a bitter land owner, who is sick of walkers or someone just sick in the head. More than one person will know who’s cut down the tree. Absolute pointless tragedy 😢 I really hope they find the culprit’s. Named & shamed, a public flogging, then Jailed for life, their only food being what they cut down 😡
Absolutely shocking that such an iconic tree is no more. An act of mindless vandalism. What would anyone actually get out of doing such a thing? I hope they're caught and receive appropriate punishment!
We were just talking about this at work and we cannot fathom why on earth someone would want to do this. Not a single clue! As much as I would hope that whoever was involved in this is caught, it won't bring the tree back - a beautiful landmark lost forever 😞
I used to drive a mini cab for a number of years and there are a lot more bad people out there then most people realise. Unfortunately the criminal justice system is a joke unless the crime is major or against the state.
I'm pleased you have covered and I couldn't agree more with your thoughts. We pass it regularly on our way to the lakes. Like you I was absolutely gutted and very sad. I can not believe why anybody could possibly get any satisfaction from this horrendous act.😢😢
*The public so willingly buys into the explanation, sight unseen, of some 16 year old behind this. A symbolic act to wake the public up to the state of what England is becoming, with multiculturalism and all the other societal ills one hears of daily.*
Hi Eddie. I was deeply upset and close to tears when I heard the news about our beloved tree at Sycamore Gap. I like you was into the outdoors and use to frequent Crag Lough to climb. My wife and I were there in June and had a great chat with one of the park rangers, had I lived closer to the wall I would of liked to become a volunteer for the wall. I hope they catch the person who done and string them up, but they will probably just get a fine and a slap on the wrist.
I’ve just had a thought, could the stump be dug up and another mature tree transplanted there. I’ve seen big hydraulic tree spades on the net. Hope we get a replacement as soon as possible.
In anger on the day I suggest that they should make a gallows out of the felled tree and string up the perpetrators for a crime against nature and the community. So you are not alone in feeling deep loss in the pit of your stomach at this outrage. Words are not enough for the beauty of that tree and words are not enough to describe this deplorable action. 😢
Totally agree. 16 year old been arrested but I’m sure he/she wasn’t alone. As a self employed gardener you can tell by the cut that equipment used and the clean cut is of a professional standard
Hi Eddy Like you and thousands others I was devastated to hear this news. I couldn't sleep, so got up and penned my thoughts and I'm sure they are shared far and wide.. A tree is just a tree, but this was not just any tree. This tree belonged to you and me, and anyone who cared to come by and see, how wonderful a tree can be. But now our tree is gone, and we are left to carry on, to start afresh and renew, the old spectacular view, that warmed the hearts of everyone. So clear the ground we must, and plant again and trust, in times ahead new eyes.will in the gap against the sky, be overwhelmed to see, how wonderful a tree can be. EJ
This act should be criminal damage and be charged for treason!! absolute disgusting! I was very lucky to visit this landmark by the princes trust back then I didn't know it was from that scene Robin hood Prince of thieves. This vandalism is not on!
The country is sadly finished with this type of clientele we are lumbered with now. Bring back borstal, I'd say or at the very least a permanent 6pm curfew for teenagers
It was more than vandalism well beyond that, it’ll be interesting to see if “suspended sentence “ will play out ? Nothing in this country surprises me anymore.
Hi Eddy, this has got me absolutely boiling, I'm so angry, I hike and wildcamp a lot in Northumberland, we should all respect nature, this is such an iconic spot, absolutely senseless, very sad 😒
This is absolutely disgraceful, I can’t believe that anybody could destroy this beautiful landmark. I hope they catch the despicable individuals responsible and name and shame them. This is very upsetting indeed.
I'm gutted. I visited that tree back in July with my wife, purely out of my love for the Prince of Thieves movie. I sat under that tree with my dog, it was a moment i'll cherrish forever. I make no apologies in saying that whatever scumbag did this deserves to have their hands cut off!
Has to be someone with an axe to grind about something, as well as a skill set to fell a tree that size in a professional way. Just read 16 year old arrested but can't think that he fits the bill - but we will no doubt see. Really hope they get the maximum punishment that the law allows!
Since I found out this morning have commented on a couple of videos, axe to grind is the only logic that I can think of now, which could even be that the roots would damage the wall and it's history which could be a guess, there is definitely something amiss and not yet known of the reason for this, waste of a beautiful tree in a beautiful location that makes no sense for what's happened, the axe to grind?
Totally agree Eddie I am gutted this beautiful tree has been felled. I took a long term friend who was staying with me (as he now lives in Brighton) to see the tree and we took pictures of it. Great memories 😢. An absolute senseless act😡
Disgraceful and upsetting to see. An icon of the north east and truly beautiful. Whoever did this, irrelevant of age, this person(s) need to suffer. No excuses.
All the time, kid did the world a favor by pissing off a bunch of people that are actively destroying the planet. These people didn’t deserve that tree
I doubt that we will be told about who did it (already caught). It has already been downgraded to vandalism and the statement that "it may have been a deliberate act" says it all.
Bravo sir. I am so sorry this has happened and hope this doesn't result in the discrimination against walkers, campers, tourists, etc futther. Absoloutley devestating for the North East, did my camping trip to Northumberland two years ago and loved it. Was planning to visit Sycamore Gap next spring but I, along with future generations, will never sit under its shade. We need to stand up for our history, culture, nature and heritage.
Anybody who knows who committed this crime needs to shop these tosspots. I was bringing my mrs up from Cheshire to my homeland to see this, I’m an avid photographer and can’t fathom who would want to do this. Get them caught id happily contribute to a hefty reward to facilitate this
With you 100% Eddie. Shit like this is just an example of how fucked up some people attitude is. The best response I've heard today was someone who said they should build stocks out of the wood and stick the little shits in it so we can all throw fruit at them. I couldn't agree more.
I read about this earlier and am utterly appalled at this, as a much younger man I walked Hadrian's Wall, I can't fathom out why somebody would want to do this, this was a world renown site, featured in a number of films, most famously Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, the Kevin Costner film.
Was still buzzing about the City result this morning then I read about this tree and it's just completely ruined my mood. There are people out there who simply like making others angry and upset for their own pleasure. I just hope they have a big enough mouth that they will joke about it to someone in their circle who has enough of a conscience to do the right thing.
Took my 6 year old son to see it last weekend for the first time. He loved the walk and view. To wake up today and see this is sickening. It's a shame that will be the first and last time we get to visit it.
As a exile Northumbrian born in Hexham, after Covid bringing my kids (Born in the Midlands) back up to my God Country, we had in April, taking my kids to all my lovely places where i come from, this was one of my places to get my kids to, Brewer Twice, we ran out of time but said we will go when we come back, and then to hear and see this, I'm livid they have done this, I even notice the tree went down on the wall itself , that could have been damaged it too, as a born and bred Hexham ( Prudhoe) Northumbrian, I'm so angry who has done this. I hope my community name and shame these people that have done it, and chase them down the Military road.
Let me give you people the heads up on butchery of our countryside,green and once pleasant land ,I used to drive trucks all over the country and devastation,of fly tippers it's mainly foreigners ,that's how they can do jobs cheaper don't give a shit for our country ,all the riches fault again wanting them here for cheap labour ,Cameron was so out of touch he gave us a free shot with referendum ,and most of our people did themselves and our country proud ,it's a pity our politicians didn't do the same ,but no they left the door open years after so millions more could get here ,anyway I was up delivering in Scotland I'd used one of the A roads off m6 over to Edinburgh,couldn't believe my eyes with fly tipping in the open ,mountains regions so when I got to my delivery point I talked with some locals ,about it and they had trouble with it round there way ,what happened was one of there mother's got upset were she walked her dog ,there had been terrible fly tipping anyway cut it short ,but the truth these lads caught them at it made them ,put it all back in there van and warned if it happens again ,there van will be torched and sore faces they were Romanians ,fkn disgusting and here's other story this is on record ,most of the countryside crime thieving from farms it's mainly foreigners ,and here's another damming story about Romanians in particular,though it's off topic another example of these people biting the hand that feeds them ,a while ago I chained my bike up a week old 400 quid ,rite underneath a town centre crime camera you know the ones ,like a black ball up on a pole there's a fkn laugh pole ,anyway this bike had a 30 quid Halfords lock on it ,10 minutes in a shop came back it had gone ,shock shock horror I wandered up and down thinking ,were did I put that bike not thinking it could of been nicked ,couldn't take it in strong lock under a crime camera ,guess what phoned the police spoke with a detective ,gods honest truth he told me Romanian gangs go round ,with bolt cutters either down there trousers or in a bag ,out they come do your lock and it's gone ,he never even bothered giving me a crime number cause ,didn't have bike insured a peddle bike by the way ,so my advice if youv got a fancy bike watch were your leaving it .
When I first saw the pictures this morning, for a split second I thought the winds had brought it down and was so extremely sad, but then reading the words it had been intentionally felled!!!!! 😰 Just total disbelief anyone could go to this level of purposeful distructon of nature, such a beautiful historical, iconic tree, gone!! Like many it was a place that was on my list to visit, my emotions.. Bloody livid, mixed with extreme sadness!!! 🇬🇧🌳🤬😭🤬😭🤬😭
Northumberland is home to a sizable Traveler community, a small section of said group will remove trees for a wad of cash, any tree, protected or otherwise. There will be few consequences, they are an untouchable protected minority group. Could have been one of my stolen saws that felled it.....all conjecture of course, probably the local Vicar's son who got bored .
Well said Eddie, it's unbelievable that some idiot has done this, absolutely raging. They must have planned this out and all, going in the dead of night with a chainsaw
And in a storm so hedged their bets there would be no one around or camping etc, plus the noise of the chainsaw would be less noticeable. Well planned and so shocking, by a 16 year old!!?
No 16 year old kid did that! They can't even decide which of the 57 genders they want to be let alone plan and carry out an attack such as this. Whoever DID do it is just sick in the head. Find them, and give them 10 years behind bars!
I've just been reading stuff on LinkeIn about this also - as I live in Wallsend and have a holiday home just near there. I don't think this has been a 'hoodlum' - they would have just tried to wreck and damage it, possibly set it on fire and the like. There would be too much effort for a 'heed-the-ball' for to carry it out. From what you've said in your Blog, Eddie - signs of paint round the tree, highlighting a cut mark. That has to be signs that someone knows what they are doing with regards to felling trees (no 'normal' person would have thought that) - and that might be the thing that catches them. Just like in Jack Reacher - the coin in the parking meter: Something just doesn't match up. Lets hope we get them soon - along with planting a replacement up there.
A sad day. Such a beautiful tree. We have some very old trees here in germany too. Some are 500-700 years old. Mostly Oaks. How could anyone do this? Very sad.
Coming from "Incidents In Teeside & County Durham". A 16 year old boy has been arrested in connection with the felling of the Sycamore Gap Tree, Northumbria Police has said.🤬
Absolutely disgusting, I visited sycamore gap on my way back to Shields from campervan holiday in Western Scotland 2 months ago, I'm only glad I took the time and effort to see this beautiful tree. landmark
Eddy I travelled many times from West Yorkshire to the sycamore gap whilst visiting Alnwick and holy island, haven't been for a few years though. Still I can't believe how some people behave... obviously a very organised set of criminals, love your channel btw
Just heard the devastating news!!! heartbroken! just went past her last week. Hope someone can get their hands on these toe rags, as the courts will do nothing,
Well said Eddie. We’re the same age group and are very much alike. I too love nature, history and animals. This egocentric, dumbed down society, fuelled by the narcissistic desire for fame and or notoriety makes me sick. ‘Oh look it’s on the news! It’s all over the world! I DID THAT!… This ‘world’ is truly inverted. Everything is fake and wrong. Utter degeneracy. The thing that really upsets me is that if there’s any convictions, as far as the law is concerned they’ve just cut down a tree, so the punishment will nowhere near fit the crime.
This Beautiful Tree has now gone forever,, I'm not familier with the location,, but why did not someone see hear or do something,, reading about this I'm disgusted by this violent thuggish act beyond few more words. The Culprits lets see them suffer like this great tree suffered.
There is a way to replace this tree. I've seen a contractor in America scoop large trees out the ground and transport them and replant them. surely there must be company in the uk that this type of work.
I watch Chelsea garden show every year. Huge mature trees are brought in and planted, so it can be done, only problem is the location, as large lorries couldn't access the site. Hope the culprits are caught and given long prison sentences.
Disgusting! Apparently it was the farmer who was sick of tourists on the land . Bloody robin hood tree man! Famous all over the country if not the world
I can assure you that there are many, many people across Britain who share your anger. I only wish I could come face-to-face with the scumbag responsible.
What that 16 year old has done is despicable....As a lover of the outdoors and landscape photographer, I'm hurt at heart to hear this tragic news...Just been listening to the Jeremy Vine show on Radio 2 and it's one of the topics of discussion today...Extremely sad 😔
Well said It’s truly an icon. Me and a group of good friends walked the wall in 2004; we walked from Tyneside to our part of the world on the Solway. Also 1991 I was 16; the ‘song’ and ‘the film’, featured the tree; given the profile of these that summer it always reminds me of a great time of my life. It really is sick vandalism Also the destruction on top of the fell that is High Pike just are appalling. Thanks for speaking out
They need to do a country wide search for a large mature Sycamore tree and have it removed, then replanted in the same spot as this tree... 50 foot tall mature trees are bought and delivered to places all the time, so the National Park CEO should start a 'Go Fund Me' page, to pay for the new tree, the removal cost, the transportation cost and the replanting cost. (Don't let that teen vandal win.)
I can’t make sense of it, a chainsaw would seem very calculated and the paint mark also. People that tend to do these kinds of things do it because they know it’s something significant that people will take notice of and will cause a reaction, almost like an attention seeking thing but they are too cowardly to actually own up to it
Well done bringing this to our attention mate ,somehow from years ago this country used to be a stand up ,place for the good of nature and the environment,but these days were shamefull just like with many stats ,it's all about greed and it's got out that sunak ,and his previous Tory buddies don't give a sht ,very sad I wouldn't be surprised if like with a lot of fly tipping since the social enrichment policy came in ,with over 5 million foreigners here from eastern Europe alone ,who also don't give a sht for our country in my experience.
*THIS IS WHY I NO LONGER LIVE IN THE UK* I wanted to live in a society, like the one I grew up in, one where people cared for each other and had decency...
@@MarkSmith-lu7ly Bulgaria. Which has changed a LOT since I moved here, horse and cart were very comment 15 years ago, but it is doing a very good job of modernising without westernising. It breaks my heart to see this tree cut down
@@ian-flanagan As I said in my other comment - Bulgaria. Which has changed a LOT since I moved here, horse and cart were very comment 15 years ago, but it is doing a very good job of modernising without westernising. Fron your profile picture you look quite young, I would recommend one of the East European countries, when I moved there the average wage was 400 leva a month - its now 2000. These countries went through very hard time 20 to 30 years ago and they are now starting to flourish. Everything works, everything is new, housing is affordable and there is still a very strong sense of community. Ive been ill for a week with a really bad cold, my neighbours all took turns walking my dog for me. Oh - and dont be a snob about the commi blocks, they look terrible but they can be THE BEST.
I was asked 'What are the going to do with the wood?' My answer was- build some stocks and put him in for a week; meanwhile build some gallows in the gap. Also someone had to drive him there and supply the chainsaw-aiding and abetting.
