Trailer

Trailer

Author: BBC Local Radio July 11, 2025 Duration: 2:12

Hairy Biker Si King investigates who felled the tree at Sycamore Gap, which had stood along Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland.

The famous tree had come to symbolise the local community and was nicknamed 'Robin Hood Tree', after featuring in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner.

One morning in September 2023 the tree had been cut down and disbelief gave way to anger, accusations and conspiracy theories as a bizarre true crime story unfolded.

Presenter: Si King. Producer: Jane Downs with additional reporting by Jo Lonsdale and Martin Lindsay. Sounds Producer and design: Alexandra Booth. Sound Mixing: Chris Fawcett. Story Consultant: Barney Rowntree. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producer: Dan Farthing and Alistair Miskin.

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From BBC Local Radio, In Detail... is a podcast that takes a single, significant story and holds it up to the light, examining every facet. It moves beyond the headlines to explore the profound human experiences, historical echoes, and societal ripples contained within one event. Each series is a deep, narrative dive, focusing on a specific case that resonates far beyond its immediate circumstances. You'll hear archival tape, firsthand testimony, and thoughtful analysis, all woven together to build a comprehensive picture of how a story unfolded and why it matters. The podcast lives up to its name, offering the context and depth that daily news often cannot. For instance, one series investigates the decades-long impact of the Birmingham pub bombings, tracing an evolving story of grief, justice, and community over fifty years. Another meticulously unpacks a shocking toxic waste scandal, revealing the events that exposed systemic failures. A particularly gripping series, "Sanctuary: An Act of Defiance," recounts the story of Viraj Mendis, a man from Sri Lanka who sought refuge in a church, and the vicar, Father John Methuen, who made the extraordinary decision to protect him, directly challenging the government of the time. This is a podcast about the stories that shape England, told through the people who lived them, focusing on themes of society, culture, history, and personal journal. It’s for anyone who believes the true weight of a story is found in the details.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 44

In Detail...
Podcast Episodes
2. Panic on the Streets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:45
The story of the blasts told by those first on the scene.Emergency services crew and local reporters describe the aftermath of two city-centre pub bombings in Birmingham that killed 21 people.
1. A Night Like Any Other [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:28
Thursday 21 November 1974 was a normal night in Birmingham city centre until two city-centre pub bombs were detonated.We hear the story of the night from those who were there and the families of some of the 21 people kil…
Trailer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:32
Exploring the impact of two Birmingham pub bombs in a 50 year evolving story that's affected countless people. The series looks into who bombed Birmingham and asks why no one has been rightfully brought to justice. It al…