A college said it was ‘honoured’ to be part of a new initiative that has been created by the National Trust.
The campaign called ‘Trees of Hope’ has seen 49 organisations and charities receive a sapling from an iconic Sycamore Gap tree that was situated by Hadrian’s Wall and was illegally felled in September 2023.
The saplings were cared for by the National Trusts Plant Conservation Centre and Suffolk New College’s Suffolk Rural campus was one of the lucky organisations to be chosen to participate in this scheme.
(Other organisations to gain a sapling include The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease (MND), a place set up by the legendary former Leeds Rhino rugby league player who inspire others by his money raising efforts for MND).
Emma Taylor – who helped the college scoop an educational Oscar two years ago when they won an AOC Beacon Award for their ongoing environmental awareness campaign – put the college forward for this – and was delighted to be involved.
Emma said: “We are the only organisation in Suffolk to receive a tree of hope – so we are honoured to have been chosen for this. It’s a very special day for the college. We look at the tree as being a symbol of everything good that we do in our community.”
Freddie Martin, 17, from Rattlesden is on an introduction to college course and he was chosen to plant the tree. The inclusive learner said: “I hope to go on to study horticulture in the future – so it was a big moment for me.”
Cllr Pat Bruce-Brown attended and said: “It’s inspiring.”
Andrew Poad, General Manager for the National Trust’s Hadrian Wall properties said: “To be able to keep the story of the Sycamore Gap alive in all four corners of the UK and in so many different settings is a fitting tribute, and we hope that, just like the original tree, these young saplings will touch many people’s lives.”
The tree has been planted outside a memorial garden area that was created and named in honour of the former principal of the college, Viv Gillespie who passed away in 2023.
And next year, students are looking to design a garden based around the theme of Hadrian’s Wall and this will be situated behind the ‘tree of hope’. Members of the public can see the ‘tree of hope’ at the annual Suffolk Rural Spring Day event on Sunday 22 March 2026 – as well as the Suffolk Rural Big Day Out on Saturday 9 May 2026.