28 September 2023 , 16:17
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A landlord whose pub stands close to an iconic tree felled overnight in a “terrible act of vandalism” has offered a £1,500 reward for anyone who brings the guilty party to justice.
Sycamore Gap, next to Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, was made famous when it appeared in Kevin Costner's 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves. Northumbria Police launched an investigation on Thursday after the tree was "deliberately felled overnight", saying it was treating it as an act of vandalism.
The Twice Brewed Inn is the closest pub to one of the most popular sections of Hadrian's Wall and has a pale ale named after it. In a statement it said it was “appalled” by the tree’s destruction and offered a reward to anyone who helped bring it to justice, Chronicle Live reported.
The pub has offered a £1,500 bar tab to anyone with information leading to an arrest (PA)It read: “Everyone at The Twice Brewed Inn is devastated by the senseless felling of the beloved Sycamore Gap tree. This iconic landmark is woven throughout The Twice Brewed - from our logo to our sister Brewery's award-winning ale - and we are truly appalled by its destruction. We are offering a £1,500 bar tab as a reward to the person who provides information to Northumbria Police that leads to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for destroying such a precious beacon of natural beauty on Hadrian's Wall.”
Earlier today the National Trust said it was "shocked and saddened" to confirm the "iconic" tree had been cut down. The news was met with dismay and outrage by walkers' groups on social media. Superintendent Kevin Waring, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is an incredibly sad day. The tree was iconic to the North East and enjoyed by so many who live in or who have visited this region. As a Force, we are fully committed to finding out the full circumstances and we will consider every tactic at our disposal in this investigation.
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“Anyone found to have been responsible for this damage – which we believe to be a deliberate act of vandalism – can expect to be dealt with swiftly and appropriately. I would ask anyone who saw anything suspicious or knows anything that can assist our investigation to get in touch with us.”
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness, added: "I’m devastated the famous Sycamore is gone. That tree was ours. It was an iconic North East landmark standing tall in our beautiful Northumberland. I am incandescent that this looks like a deliberate act of vandalism. I’ll be raising this personally today. I know Northumbria Police are at the scene and officers will do their utmost to catch whoever is behind this. Terrible news."
The force later said a 16-year-old boy had been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage. He is in police custody and assisting officers with their inquiries, a spokesperson said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20230928-0295.