Oct 3, 2023Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨, Beth Wardell
Wonderful. Thanks for doing this. I'm an American traveling in Italy as I write these words. When I learned about the tree, my heart sank. I never witnessed or experienced the majesty of this beautiful tree, but I know for those who did, it was a special memory. I look forward to seeing these contributions. I wrote something similar on Instagram the other day:
I can't stop thinking about the #SycamoreGap tree — What a tragic loss. And I've never even witnessed this tree in person! The tree people out there know what I mean. You know who you are. A sad day. RIP 🌳
In my work a lot. I loved it. It was magical! I was lucky enough to see it for the last time two days prior to the illegal felling. I took a few impressions of its bark to use in my work. The photo in the link shows one of the pendants I made. You can find more Sycamore Gap tree pieces on my grid.
Oct 3, 2023Liked by Beth Wardell, Claire Venus (she/her) ✨
Hello Claire, well met! Thanks for this - I feel very strongly that our beloved Sycamore Tree needs to be immortalised in words and art, so this is a great opportunity. Busy as we speak, writing it into the sequel of my next novel after The Rewilding of Molly McFlynn. Thanks for the opportunity to guest on the Culture Northumberland blog.
Jan 4·edited Jan 4Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨
It’s taken months to summon the courage to write about ‘the tree.’ I live on Hadrians Wall, close to the site, and still find its felling unfathomable.
Yet, what many don’t realise is five years ago, within a few miles of Sycamore Gap a miraculous set of events unfolded, a wild white albino roebuck appeared.
I was fortunate enough to spend time in his presence, and named him Ghost, as in Holy Ghost, and the experience inspired my first children’s book ‘Ghost the Christmas Stag.’
Told through the eyes of a young boy ‘Hector the Forest Protector,’ the story culminates on Christmas Eve, and advocates a deep reverence for the natural world.
This year, the tale was reimagined as ‘Ghost Tree,’ for reasons pertained in the link.
Another series of synchronicities for these two sacred Northumbrian symbols, all of which has afforded some comfort amidst the chaos.
Thanks for all of this Claire. Like many I felt connected to the lovely old Tree.
I wrote a piece about it when we took friends from Portugal in the most glorious icy December day last year. I’ll try and find it.
Meanwhile here (see link to my tumblr) are a couple of sketches. I’ve sold a few Giclee prints of the pastel ‘Sycamore Gap in Winter’ ‘Moondogs at Sycamore Gap’ was one of a long series made in lockdown as part of my ‘Microcosmic: A visual diary of the pandemic’ when I drew an image with ink everyday in my sketchbook for mindfulness and wellbeing. We’ve walked there lots. One of favourite places. I did cry and felt outrage when I saw it felled.
https://substack.com/inbox/post/137863229
Wonderful. Thanks for doing this. I'm an American traveling in Italy as I write these words. When I learned about the tree, my heart sank. I never witnessed or experienced the majesty of this beautiful tree, but I know for those who did, it was a special memory. I look forward to seeing these contributions. I wrote something similar on Instagram the other day:
I can't stop thinking about the #SycamoreGap tree — What a tragic loss. And I've never even witnessed this tree in person! The tree people out there know what I mean. You know who you are. A sad day. RIP 🌳
#flakphototrees
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx0x150NusC/?igshid=M2MyMzgzODVlNw==
Thankyou Andy! Sending sparkles across the seas! Your Instagram post was very poignant and appreciated! 🌳
Hi I am a local artist and have used the tree
In my work a lot. I loved it. It was magical! I was lucky enough to see it for the last time two days prior to the illegal felling. I took a few impressions of its bark to use in my work. The photo in the link shows one of the pendants I made. You can find more Sycamore Gap tree pieces on my grid.
Here the link: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx6H2OkrAeo/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Oh Anke - this sounds such a beautiful process - thanks for sharing! We'll add your links to the website in time...
Claire would it be ok to link the second piece I made from the bark too. Looks different to the first one. Thank you. Kind regards, Anke
Of course!
Thank you for this opportunity. Living just down the hill from Sycamore Gap I felt compelled to write this piece which I shared on my own Substack @suereedwrites : https://open.substack.com/pub/suereed/p/the-felling-of-northumberland-at?r=1cn6l0&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thanks for sharing Sue - we look forward to reading and sharing further. Glad to find a fellow Northumbrian dweller here on Substack. Cx
Hello Claire, well met! Thanks for this - I feel very strongly that our beloved Sycamore Tree needs to be immortalised in words and art, so this is a great opportunity. Busy as we speak, writing it into the sequel of my next novel after The Rewilding of Molly McFlynn. Thanks for the opportunity to guest on the Culture Northumberland blog.
You're super welcome... we look forward to the digital outpouring of links and memories to share with our audience in a web page.
It’s taken months to summon the courage to write about ‘the tree.’ I live on Hadrians Wall, close to the site, and still find its felling unfathomable.
Yet, what many don’t realise is five years ago, within a few miles of Sycamore Gap a miraculous set of events unfolded, a wild white albino roebuck appeared.
I was fortunate enough to spend time in his presence, and named him Ghost, as in Holy Ghost, and the experience inspired my first children’s book ‘Ghost the Christmas Stag.’
Told through the eyes of a young boy ‘Hector the Forest Protector,’ the story culminates on Christmas Eve, and advocates a deep reverence for the natural world.
This year, the tale was reimagined as ‘Ghost Tree,’ for reasons pertained in the link.
Another series of synchronicities for these two sacred Northumbrian symbols, all of which has afforded some comfort amidst the chaos.
https://sarahfae.substack.com/p/ghost-tree
Ever Grateful & God Bless 🤍🌳❤️🩹
Thanks for all of this Claire. Like many I felt connected to the lovely old Tree.
I wrote a piece about it when we took friends from Portugal in the most glorious icy December day last year. I’ll try and find it.
Meanwhile here (see link to my tumblr) are a couple of sketches. I’ve sold a few Giclee prints of the pastel ‘Sycamore Gap in Winter’ ‘Moondogs at Sycamore Gap’ was one of a long series made in lockdown as part of my ‘Microcosmic: A visual diary of the pandemic’ when I drew an image with ink everyday in my sketchbook for mindfulness and wellbeing. We’ve walked there lots. One of favourite places. I did cry and felt outrage when I saw it felled.
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/planet-allie/730550550706470912