Sycamore Gap sapling planted at community centre

Ed Hanson,in Workingtonand
Sarah Spina-Matthews,North East and Cumbria
News imageEd Hanson/BBC Three men are planting the sapling in muddy ground. To the left, one man is holding up dark green tarpaulin to shake off soil into the hole where the tree sits. Only his body and legs are visible. Two other men - one older, with white grey hair, beard and glasses - and a younger man with dark blonde hair tied back in a ponytail - are also hauling up the tarpaulin to tip the soil out. The thin sapling is attached to a tube of pale green protective plastic. A brown dog peers into shot from the right.Ed Hanson/BBC
The community was invited to take part in the planting of the sapling

A sapling from the illegally felled Sycamore Gap tree has been planted at a community centre which provides support and social connection for people in need.

One of the young trees grown from seeds from the tree, which stood in a dip next to Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, was awarded to Moorclose Community Centre in Workington, Cumbria, as part of the Trees of Hope initiative.

The centre's chief executive, Angela Rumney, said her hope was for the community to watch it grow together.

"The idea is that, coming to visit it, coming to the community centre for whatever reason, even if it's just a chat and to keep warm, it's to nurture everyone together," she said.

She added: "Maybe in a couple of hundred years time, we might have a magnificent tree."

News imageEd Hanson/BBC Angela Rumney is wearing a black jumper and trousers stands in a fenced outside area. She holds the leash of a small brown spaniel-looking dog. Next to here in a planted sapling with a plaque in front of it. Ed Hanson/BBC
Angela Rumney says anyone is welcome to come and visit the tree as it grows

Daniel Michael Graham 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, both from Cumbria, were jailed in July for felling the tree - which was considered an irreplaceable landmark - in September 2023.

Ms Rumney said she had a strong personal connection to the tree, with her daughter getting engaged there, and had also taken groups associated with the community centre on visits.

She said it was "so sad" when the tree was felled but the centre was lucky to get one of the 49 saplings.

News imageEd Hanson/BBC A black plaque in the muddy ground has a message in white writing on it which says: "SWYP & Moorclose Community Centre. A Tree of Hope grown from the felled Sycamore Gap Tree. Gifted by the national Trust and planted as an act of hope with communities across the United Kingdom."Ed Hanson/BBC
The centre's chief executive said people visiting could watch the sapling grow

Ms Rumney invited anyone who had a connection to the tree to come and visit the sapling as it grows at the centre in Workington.

"The last time I visited Sycamore Gap there was a lady there scattering her granddaughter's ashes," she said.

"The first thing I thought about when it was felled was this poor lady.

"I'm quite sure a little bit of her granddaughter's here now. If she wants to come and visit she's very welcome."

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