Sycamore Gap tree saplings gifted to 49 projects of hope
Cath runs Elemental Occupational Therapy which was chosen from hundreds of applications to receive one of the 49 saplings, each one representing a foot of the tree's original height. To decide where it should be planted, she has set up a working group made up of people who have attended her sessions."It has to be in North Tyneside where I run my sessions, and we have been discussing with the council about it being in the Rising Sun Country Park," she says. "But I feel very strongly this sapling doesn't belong to me, it belongs to everyone I've supported and they'll make that final decision."
Just a few miles south, another project is also planning for the arrival of its sapling.A new nature reserve, Tina's Haven, on the east Durham coast has been named after Tina Robson of Sunderland, who died of a drug overdose in 2020 aged 35.It is hoped it will be a place used by organisations in County Durham and Teesside which help people recovering from addiction and trauma.More than 20,000 trees have already been planted at the National Trust-owned site.
Tina's mum Dr Sue Robson describes the reserve as something "powerful and hopeful" and says the tree will definitely be on the "Horden side", but the exact place is yet to be "fully decided". "We're talking to the National Trust about that, and we'll need some signage too so that people know this isn't just any tree."Out of Tina's past that was rooted in pain, something new and beautiful will rise."
The sapling which will grow closest to the Sycamore Gap will be planted at Henshaw Church of England Primary, a small rural school near Bardon Mill which has the tree as its symbol, emblazoned on the uniform of every child. Executive head teacher Mike Glenton says many of the children live on farms near it and the illegal felling was "keenly felt"."They know it mattered, they understand the grief the community here felt at its loss."
When the school heard it was to get one of the 49, saplings all the children were consulted about where it should be planted and the choice was "pretty unanimous"."We have a forest area and the children thought that would be ideal. "When it first goes in we'll put some protection round it, but once it grows the children will be able to hug it as much as they want."
That the saplings exist at all is the result of an operation which began within hours of the tree being felled.Scions - young twigs with buds and the vital raw material for grafting genetic copies of the tree - were collected and posted to the National Trust Plant Conservation Centre.The five bags of twigs and seeds arrived at the centre's secret location in Devon the next day.
The man tasked with turning them into trees was Chris Trimmer who used a process called grafting to create an exact genetic copy of the original plant. "It wasn't the right time of the year to do it but thankfully it worked," he says.
Chris says the 49 trees "and a few spares" are now "between four and six-foot high" and "looking really good.""The plan is to get them out this autumn, but we're in a heatwave at the moment and we're not sending the trees out until I'm sure they'll be okay," he says."We're used to dealing with really special plants here but this has been really interesting for me personally."My first date with my wife was to go and see Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, which includes a scene at Sycamore Gap, so I had a particularly special reason to make sure this tree survived."
Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, both from Cumbria, were sentenced to four years and three months in prison on Tuesday for the illegal felling of the tree.In court Andrew Gurney, defending Carruthers, said many people had asked why he did it, to which the reply was: "Unfortunately it was no more than drunken stupidity."But the judge dismissed that and suggested the motive was likely "sheer bravado" and "thrill-seeking".Whatever the reason, people have ensured that from one act of shocking destruction there will be 49 symbols of hope.
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The Sun
22 minutes ago
- The Sun
How to summer proof your feet and stop horror corns, cracked heels and fungal infections ruining your holiday
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Woman's feet turn yellow after stress triggers debilitating condition 'But that shouldn't be attempted by anyone other than a podiatrist or professional. 'At home, you can use an emery board to file down the hard skin. 'Make sure the feet are dry - i.e. before you shower - as dead skin is exfoliated more efficiently and there is less risk of fungal or bacterial infection. 'Keep feet moisturised, and if they're occurring with one set of sandals or shoes repetitively, switch them or take them to a shoe repair shop to see what can be done to improve the padding.' 2. CALLUSES LIKE corns, calluses are very common. 'They are layers of hardened skin that cover a wider surface area and are caused by lack of moisture and repetitive widespread friction,' Simone says. Calluses can develop in any shoes, but sling-backs and flip flops are particularly problematic, especially around the heel and forefoot. 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"Not only does this increase the risk of ongoing discomfort, but of blisters, ankle sprains, fungal infections, and bruised nails. "During warmer weather, our feet swell significantly, and without considering materials, foot structure, or skin protection, even a short walk in the wrong shoes or sandals can lead to painful outcomes." There are ways you can keep your feet sweet and protected as the mercury rises though. "I recommend using a foot cream to prevent cracks, keep the skin hydrated, and reduce friction-related marks," says Simone. "It is also essential to apply SPF to your feet when wearing open sandals as the tops of the feet can burn easily in direct sun." Want to make sure you're wearing the right kind of shoes too? Here, Simone reveals the five pairs - and five that could be doing more harm than good. THE BEST SUMMER SHOES ASICS Gel-1130. Simone says: 'These classic ASICS running trainers offer excellent shock absorption and cushioning. 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However, they should be replaced every two years as worn cork can degrade, harbour bacteria and fungi, and release a waxy residue on the soles of the feet.' FitFlop GEN-FF Adjustable Webbing/Leather Back-Strap Sandals. Simone says: 'GEN-FF adjustable sandals offer midfoot security, adjustable straps, and reduced toe-gripping. They're stylish yet practical and provide structure at the midtarsal joints, which means they support your arch and ankle for all-day wear.' THE SUMMER SHOES TO AVOID Flip-flops. Simone says: 'Flip-flops are a leading cause of foot and ankle sprains. With constant toe-gripping action, they often lead to muscle fatigue, irritation, and skin splitting between the first and second toes, raising the risk of infection. They're simply not foot wear that was designed to be worn for any length of time at all.' Crocs. Simone says: 'I know lots of people swear by them, especially in the summer, but while Crocs are very well ventilated and popular, they're not designed for walking for more than an hour. Grit and debris easily enter through the holes, causing rubbing, blisters, and skin irritation, especially during long wear and the strap is not sturdy enough to hold the rearfoot, meaning that the foot skips backwards and forwards.' Suede loafers or flats worn without socks. Simone says: 'Suede loafers trap heat and moisture. Without socks, feet are more prone to blistering, odour, fungal infections, and friction-related injuries. Sweat build up can also lead to itchy, irritated skin and spore development.' Backless flat sandals. Simone says: 'Backless flat sandals force the toes to grip with every step, causing muscular strain, poor posture, and imbalance, especially as feet naturally swell in hot weather.' Fluffy-lined sliders. 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'We tend to over-cut the nails during summer too because we don't want people to think we've got long toenails, but that can cause the nails to grow inwards a little bit more thanks to poor cutting techniques. 'Podiatrists cut the nails in a safe way and also remove the offending spike of nail causing the ingrown infection. 'But if you're treating at home, a salt water foot bath can help if the area is swollen. 'Don't cut the nails too short and apply a plaster if there's pus coming out of the sides. 'Open toed shoes can reduce the pressure and pain of an ingrown nail too, as can gently lifting the edges of the nail daily.'
Daily Mail
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- Daily Mail
Woman using weight loss jab Mounjaro reveals shocking side affect that left her permanently struggling to eat
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Daily Mail
22 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
I'm a podiatrist - here are three huge mistakes people make with their feet
A leading foot health expert has revealed three disastrous—and surprisingly common—mistakes people make when it comes to looking after their feet. Maddie Tait, a London-based podiatrist, says that wearing shoes that are too small, failing to moisturise the feet, and relying on flip-flops can all lead to painful problems including blisters, swelling, cracked heels and callouses. In a recent video posted on her TikTok account @mtpodiatry, she said the single most damaging habit is wearing shoes that are too tight. 'Your feet will swell and expand during the day,' she said. 'So, you'll most likely cause a blister quite quickly.' Blisters are small, fluid-filled pockets that form under the skin due to friction—typically on the feet. While painful, the NHS warns against popping them, as doing so can increase the risk of infection. To help a blister heal and prevent infection, pharmacists can recommend a plaster or dressing to keep the area clean and protected. Last year, a poll of 2,000 adults found 44 per cent of people had developed foot issues like bunions and callouses from wearing shoes that are too small. The survey, commissioned by DB Wider Fit Shoes, also found that bunions impaired 36 per cent of people's ability to walk. Bunions are bony bumps that form on the joint at the base of the big toe, forcing it to lean inwards towards the smaller toes. They can be extremely painful and are typically caused by ill-fitting shoes or inherited structural issues in the foot. If you're unfortunate enough to develop a bunion, treatment options include surgery or non-surgical measures such as pain relief and wearing wider-fitting footwear. Another common issue is calluses—thickened, hardened patches of skin caused by repeated pressure or friction. These can often be managed at home by soaking the feet in warm water, although in more severe cases, a referral to a foot specialist may be required. The next mistake podiatrist Maddie Tait warns against is failing to moisturise your feet—especially during warmer months. 'During the summer being on the beaches or on the sand or in the sun, our feet need a bit more moisturiser,' she said. 'We can develop cracked heals or corns or callus so, make sure you moisturise your feet throughout the year, but definitely in the summer.' In contrast to calluses, corns are smaller, typically round or oval, and can be quite painful do to pressure on deeper layers of the skin. The NHS advice for corns is also to soak them in warm water to soften them, but again, in some cases they may need specialist treatments. If either a corn or a callus or corn appears inflamed or is oozing pus or clear fluid it may be infected and need antibiotic treatment. The third mistake she warned against was wearing flat flip flops when you're out walking. She said: 'I don't mind them around the beach, or around the pool, but I would not recommend that you walk too far in the classic thong style sandals.' While wearing flip flops for short distances isn't likely harmful, walking in them for long periods of time can put you at risk of problems. Previously studies have shown that when people wear flip-flops, they take shorter steps and often curl their toes to keep them on. This has been found to the natural gait and reduces muscle engagement which over time can cause foot and joint pain. It isn't only dangerous to your foot health as other studies have shown wearing flip flops while driving is linked to serious road accidents.
