A church school located less than three miles from Sycamore Gap has received a sapling from the world famous tree.
Henshaw Church of England Primary is the closest school to the site of the sycamore on Hadrian’s Wall, which was mindlessly chopped down by vandals in September 2023.
Today (Wednesday 10 December), the school became one of 49 recipients of a sapling, as part of the National Trust’s ‘Trees of Hope’ initiative. It was planted on a hillside within a play area at the school, which is part of the Durham and Newcastle Diocesan (DND) Learning Trust.
The Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, attended a special ceremony where she was joined by Paul Rickeard, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the DND trust, and David Akers, Diocesan Director of Education. Other dignitaries present included Audrey Kingham, Executive Director of Children, Young People and Education at Northumberland County Council, as well as representatives of other school partners.
Prior to the planting, children at the school embarked on a short procession carrying themed artwork. They sung a specially-written song and took part in whole-school activities. In the future, they will be unveiling a giant community mosaic which spells out ‘Our Tree of Hope’.
Henshaw CofE Primary has worked with many organisations in the past two years to remember and celebrate the life of the Sycamore Gap tree, which is why a sapling has been gifted to them.
This has included presenting a seedling to Dame Judi Dench at The Chelsea Flower Show and also organising for 13 local schools to come together ‘one year on’ from the felling. This took part at The Sill and included over 240 children signing, taking part in drama and producing an art piece which was displayed in the heritage centre.
Headteacher Mike Glenton said other activities on the day included a nature project. He added: “It’s a privilege that our school was chosen to receive a sapling, which is for our whole community. This is a special piece of Sycamore Gap within our school grounds. Our children will nurture it and make new memories of a significant tree in our history. In years to come, we hope to see children sitting under the tree and playing around it, a fitting tribute to such a special part of our local community.”
Bishop Helen-Ann said: “Sycamore Gap was a globally iconic tree, attracting visitors from different parts of the world, but it was a living presence for our region and the local community. I am delighted that its legacy will live on at Henshaw Church of England Primary, just a short distance from the original site on Hadrian’s Wall, as a symbol of future growth for children, their families and the wider community.”
Andrew Poad, General Manager for the National Trust’s Hadrian Wall properties said: “It’s wonderful to see one of the saplings from Sycamore Gap being planted here at Henshaw CofE Primary School. These trees represent hope and resilience, and by involving children in this project, we’re helping them feel connected to nature and to the story of this iconic landscape. We hope this young tree will grow alongside the pupils, inspiring future generations to care for the environment and cherish the heritage of Hadrian’s Wall.”
The National Trust received almost 500 applications for the 49 saplings – one to represent each foot in height that the tree was at the time of felling. The saplings, now between four and six feet tall, were grown from the seeds and material rescued from the felled tree and have been carefully nurtured at the National Trust’s Plant Conservation Centre.
‘Tree of Hope’ saplings have been planted elsewhere in the North East and across the UK from Saturday 22 November. For more information and to find out where the 49 ‘Trees of Hope’ saplings will be planted visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/saplings.
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