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On Friday, April 25, a new woodland trail was officially unveiled in a moving ceremony at Swinton Estate, near Masham. The tree, which stood proudly beside Hadrian’s Wall for more than 200 years, captured the hearts of the nation before its shocking felling in 2023. Artist Lucy Pittaway at the official opening of the Lucy Pittaway Woodland Trail at Swinton Estate (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) In the wake of the felling, award-winning Yorkshire artist Lucy Pittaway vowed to ensure the tree’s spirit lived on.
Following an outpouring of requests to immortalise Sycamore Gap in her artwork, Lucy pledged to plant a tree for every print sold. Thousands of prints later, her promise has culminated in the planting of 1,000 native trees and the creation of the 'Lucy Pittaway Sycamore Gap Trail'. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Invited guests gathered at the historic Druid’s Temple on Friday to mark the official opening, including Lucy and Neil Pittaway and Felicity and Mark Cunliffe-Lister.
Ribbon-cutting duties fell to Yorkshire’s own Julian Norton, star of ‘The Yorkshire Vet’, before guests embarked on a guided tour of the new trail, which also features artworks by other artists. Artist Lucy Pittaway, Yorkshire Vet Julian Norton and Felicity Cunliffe-Lister of Swinton Park Estate officially open the Lucy Pittaway Woodland Trail (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Lucy said: “When the tree was felled we were inundated with requests to immortalise it in a painting. I only wanted to do so if its creation could become a legacy to the tree, and contribute positively to the environment and wider community.
"This trail, created in partnership with the Swinton team, does just that and we’re incredibly proud to see this commemoration of Sycamore Gap, a tree which represents so much for so many people, spring into life to be enjoyed for generations to come.” The trail, planted on land previously cleared due to devastating larch tree blight, includes sycamore, oak, rowan, hazel and other native species. Felicity Cunliffe-Lister of Swinton Park Estate and her dogs Maggie and Mabel at the Lucy Pittaway Woodland Trai (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Felicity Cunliffe-Lister praised the scale of the project, she said: “This painting’s legacy is truly incredible, with over 1,000 trees now planted to create a new trail on the Estate.
The trees planted over the last year help replace the trees that were sadly lost to avoid the spread of larch blight. "We hope that the connection to Lucy’s beautiful painting brings many people to this new woodland as it matures over the coming years. For one tree to inspire the planting of 1,000 more is absolutely remarkable; we are delighted to be able to host this on our estate.
” Woven wicker pods by Jess Wilkinson suspended high in the trees (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Art and nature have been woven together on the trail, with the first sculptures already installed. Striking features include woven wicker pods by Jess Wilkinson suspended high in the trees, and a Willow Tunnel made from living willow, leading visitors toward the Druid’s Temple. Two gateway arches, crafted from larch logs by designer Mark Wilkinson, provide a striking entrance and exit doubling as wildlife havens for minibeasts.
Lucy added: “The trail is a living, breathing legacy which will continue to evolve and develop. As the seasons change, the trees will continue to grow and I’m excited that over the coming months we will continue to add sculptures and other elements to the trail. "We will continue to plant trees in other locations and look forward to seeing the Sycamore Gap legacy live on and on.
” A national art competition will soon be launched to find additional sculptures to expand the trail, ensuring that the memory of Sycamore Gap- and the spirit it inspired endures for generations..
