#WhoIsSue? Mystery of giant field message solved
Sparked widespread bewilderment on social media after it was spotted by a police helicopter
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The creator of a mysterious message which sparked widespread bemusement when it was spotted in an Oxfordshire field has been revealed.
Social media was flooded with speculation after a police helicopter spotted the letters "SUE x" etched in huge letters on a field in Tetsworth, near Thame, earlier this week.
"Does anyone know Sue just south of £Tetsworth, the other side of the M40?! £WhoIsSue £p1526," the National Police Air Service wrote alongside the image which they posted on social media.
Conspiracy theories soon began to emerge, including suggestions it was even an iPhone X advertising campaign - or an alien invasion.
But the reality was much more mundane than beings from outer space or outlandish marketing campaigns.
The handiwork belongs to farmer Murray Graham, who wrote the message out in huge letters as a way of “apologising to his wife” Sue for “being grumpy”.
He told the BBC that he used a GPS-operated tractor to spray the crops in the shape of her name.
Murray’s son George, a pilot, was meant to take a photo and show it to his mother as an apology from Murray, but the police helicopter captured the images first.
"I'm not quite as grumpy and old as perhaps I make out occasionally," he said. "As ever, everything has its ups and downs, so I thought I'd try and make a gesture at some point, and that was the one I chose."
According to George, Mr Graham had been in his wife's bad books for not "pulling his weight" around the house.
“I suppose Dad wanted to express his love in the most creative way he could,” the pilot said. "I don't know if what he's done is sufficient appeasement for Mum, but it certainly caused a stir on social media."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments