Planting a bright future for North East charity

A SAPLING from the Sycamore Gap tree has been planted in County Durham.

- CATHERINE ADDISON-SWAN

> NEAS service users helped to plant a sapling of the Sycamore Gap tree

The young tree taking root marks the start of work by the North East Autism Society (NEAS) to transform a farm near Burnhope into a visitor centre and employment hub for autistic people.

Some 49 saplings in total, grown from seeds taken from the iconic tree after it was illegally felled in September 2023, have been gifted by the National Trust to organisations across the UK, nine of which are in the North East - including the NEAS.

One of these ‘Trees of Hope’ was planted by Vice Lord Lieutenant Michael Poole as a symbolic part of the groundbreaking ceremony at the new NEAS site.

The £4.9 million development at New Warlands Farm, covering 78 acres, will feature a cafe, farm shop, cider press, retail outlets, specialist play areas, wildlife setting and petting zoo.