A Northumberland pub less than a mile away from the Sycamore Gap is offering a £1,500 bar tab for anyone who gives Northumbria Police information leading to an arrest of the person who “deliberately felled” the iconic tree.
It comes as police arrested a 16-year-old on suspicion of criminal damage as part of their investigation into the incident.
The boy is currently in custody and helping with the investigation.
The Twice Brewed Inn is the closest pub to the Sycamore Gap, one of the most popular sections of Hadrian’s Wall where the tree was cut down overnight.
The pub’s staff say that the tree is “woven throughout” the Twice Brewed, which brews a pale ale named Sycamore Gap and has a bottle adorned with the landmark.
The venue is also dotted with canvas photographs of the tree and surrounding Northumberland landscapes.
A statement from The Twice Brewed Inn 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.”
Talking about the incident earlier today, Superintendent Kevin Waring 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, are fully committed to finding out the full circumstances and we will consider every tactic at our disposal in this investigation.
“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.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of their website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20230928-0295.
Locals were aghast to find the tree gone this morning. Alison Hawkins, who lives in Liverpool was one of the first on the scene.
She posted on Facebook: “An awful moment for all walking Hadrians wall the Sycamore Gap tree has gone! Not the storm an absolute ******* felled it!!”
Talking to reporters, she said she was “tearful” when she found the felled tree.
She said: “At first we thought it was because of the storm but then we saw a national park ranger.
“He said it had been cut down and there was paint around the cut section, so it was a professional who knew where they were going to cut.
“We’ve carried on the walk but news is spreading so we’ve passed quite a few people asking us if it’s true.”
