Make A Donation to the AYG |
 |
 |
Latest News
Links to Archived News ItemsARCHIVE: 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 |
A December reflection AYG Newsletter December 2011 Toby Hindson As I reflect on the last few years of AYG activity a certain sense of awe and excitement creeps over me. A group we are, but what a range of individuals! And our association with each other, the meeting of minds around the ancient yew, has in many cases brought out some of our best qualities and achievements. We have become a veritable league of extraordinary gentlemen. That’s not just a throwaway quip either, for that is in great part how the organisation works. Each of us became members because we already had something unique and relevant to offer, and in the AYG individually conceived and realised work towards the common goal is the general modus. We do our work unhindered, and when asked our fellows unselfishly rally round using their particular skills to help us critique and polish it, or give opinion on the direction of a new project. Imagine what the world would be like if this were a common ethos in industry and politics. The last few years of our work has seen the yew come out of the darkness and into the light of scientific scrutiny. Fifteen years ago when I began my own yew investigations the British scientific and arboricultural press would hardly touch work on old yews; their image was tainted both by a “mythic” element, and also by a very long running and unresolved debate over ageing, both of which it was generally felt could injure the reputation of a purely scientific journal. Articles on yews that should have been acceptable to the mainstream were often, of necessity, carried by Neo-Pagan publications and consequently angled to suit the editor. This propagated and perpetuated the “way out” image of the subject. Only a sustained coherent and science based effort could change that, and the AYG website has provided the platform that a disillusioned scientific press so often denied to supporters and serious researchers of the yew. Now the taint appears to be lifting, and questions about protection are being asked in the right quarters because materials that celebrate the religiously important mythic and poetic reality of the yew can at last be easily distinguished from the legitimate ethno-botanical and the rigorously scientific materials which are needed by law makers and arboriculturalists, and which are provided by the AYG. So the triumph is twofold, the presence and impact of the excellent website, which is the tip and the flower of the AYG iceberg exposed to public view, and the remarkable and productive working environment generated by the largely informal association of talented, cooperative and self-motivated people from diverse organisations and backgrounds. In some ways it is no great surprise that this should be, the yew is a great rallying point, and the cause is an important one. The campaign to protect this part of our heritage in Britain and Europe has never been questioned or trivialised by anyone that I’ve explained it to, and I trust that our sponsors are pleased with the return that they have seen on the confidence that they placed in us. Ultimately, it would be wonderful to realise the trite message that pops up from time to time on a certain television advertisement: “we all love trees”. If that were truly so, and the bulk of the general public had not become rather disconnected from such things, our work would not be necessary. Funding would have been provided for public bodies to look into the question of our oldest trees, and protection would be absolute across Britain, as in parts of the rest of Europe. As it is, there is AYG, and we can be extremely proud of the strides that we have, together and in our individual ways, made towards the goal of seeing our ancient and beautiful yews revered and protected as they should be. There is further to go, but I for one have high hopes. Members and contributors of The Ancient Yew Group– thank you all for your unselfish gifts of time, energy and expertise. Toby Hindson |
What's New - November 2011 Yew Classification A-prop
The Selborne Yew in Hampshire was blown down in a gale in 1990. Such was its fame, both locally and nationally, that a section of the tree was lifted back into its original position. There were great hopes that the legendary regenerative powers of the yew might bring the Selborne Yew back to life. Sadly this was not to be the case, although a recent discovery of yew growth close to the enormous stump seemed promising. Closer examination however showed it to be from a seed that had germinated close to the stump.
But the genetic strain that enabled the Selborne yew to reach an age probably above 1000 years lives on in the churchyard. In 1990 many cuttings were taken from the tree and one of these can be seen at http://www.ancient-yew.org/treeInfo.php?link=3613
Its A-prop classification denotes a yew that has been propagated from a known ancient yew. There are many such examples growing in Britain, the majority of which were gathered on behalf of the Conservation Foundation to distribute in their Yews for the Millennium project. For more about classification codes go to: http://www.ancient-yew.org/s.php/classification-codes/3/41
The following new sites have been added, which include 3 veteran trees (V):
Sarnesfield (V): Horsted Keynes: Cissbury Ring: Tarring Neville - Tim Hills
Ampney Crucis: Down Ampney: Larmer Tree Gardens (V): Lydlinch: Milton Abbas-Pidgeon House Plantation: Orchardleigh; Plaitford: Sparsholt – Peter Norton
Farthing Down (V): Piper’s Hill Common – John Smith
New photos have been added to illustrate yews at the following sites:
Aston Botterell-field: Much Marcle: Old Romney - Tim Hills
Wrekin - Ian Robert Brown
1850 engraving of the Dunsfold yew
The Sapperton churchyard yew avenue – Peter Norton
Ystradgynlais – Janis Fry
Lost yews are reported at Aston Botterell-church: Snave: Ruckinge: Postling: Mayfield: Ashdown Forest - Duddleswell Crossroads
|
What's New - October 2011 Ancient Yews and Tree Preservation Orders In this paper Russell Ball argues for “the need to protect a special and unique international resource.” Our latest statistical information shows that 62% of the known ancient and veteran yews of England are found in churchyards, while in Wales that figure rises to 95%. Tree Assessment for Heritage Status by Jeremy Barrell In this document, Jeremy Barrell presents a format in which individual trees are assessed according to various criteria, namely visual, scientific, cultural and national importance. I have seen almost 1000 yews in the ancient and veteran categories and am sure that almost all would satisfy the criteria for Heritage Status. Churchyard Yews Surveys Peter Norton has explored churchyards along the course of the river Kennet from its source to its confluence with the Thames. Records of the yews found in these churchyards are found on the Peter Norton Surveys of Churchyard Yews webpage entitled Wiltshire, Berkshire and Hampshire Yews – The River Kennet . The articles are found at Yew Articles / Churchyard Yews / Peter Norton Surveys of Churchyard Yews. Or click on Kennet part 1 and Kennet part 2. New sites have been added as follows
Dyrham and Herriard – Peter Norton Eastbourne: Eridge Green: Henfield – Tim Hills Albourne: Linch: Lurgashall: Patcham. These 4 have known planting dates - Tim Hills New photographs
Greatham: Newton Valence: Old Alresford: Ropley: Selborne: West Tisted - Peter Norton Brightling, Brown`s Oak Farm: Old Romney – Tim Hills
|
What's New - September 2011 We have been asked for permission to have our Aims and Vision translated into Belorussian.
New yews are recorded at the following locations. The majority are Notable, but there are also a few Ancient (A) Ancient and (V) Veteran specimens.
Bwlchgwyn: Cubley: Park Wood-Chilham: Pluckley: Pluckley churchyard: Stanford: Stourhead: Wythenshawe Park – Ancient Tree Hunt
Stockbridge-the Milson Roundabout Yew: Stockbridge-Vine Inn Yew – Peter Andrews
Hergest Ridge-near Gladestry – Lewis Goldwater
Lingmoor Fell: Nab Scar – Louise Hemsley
Drayton: Erbistock: Greystoke: Hanworth (V): Hillingdon: Newick: Sherbourne-Warwickshire: Trent: Treuddyn: Trull: Upton Grey churchyard: West Harptree: West Hatch: Woodchester Park: Wootton – Tim Hills
Ashridge House: East Sutton Park: Wateringbury-garden – Owen Johnson
Chilling Copse (V) – Gary Manning
Bishopstrow-churchyard: Charlton: Chilworth Old Village: East Tytherley-avenue: Fairmile Bottom SSSI (V): Farley: Mells: St Giles Park-Wimborne (A and V) – Peter Norton
Beckenham – Barry Saich
West Wycombe-Henge Earthworks – Chris Street
New photos have been added at:
Eastling: Knole Park – Ancient Tree Hunt
Henllan: Nantglyn – Shaun Burkey
Barlow – Mary Haslam
Cheston Combe – Tim Hills
Froxfield Green: Monkton Up Wimborne (near) – Peter Norton
Disserth – Ruth Seadon
Lost yews are reported at Gorton, Kinnerton and Shareshill-Sardon Magna |
What's New - August 2011 New articles
Peter Norton has already carried out yew surveys in a large number of churchyards in Dorset and Wiltshire. Hampshire is now added to this list. By following the course of the Hampshire Test and its tributaries he has visited no fewer than 80 churchyard sites, recording 182 yews.
The articles are found at Yew Articles / Churchyard Yews / Peter Norton Surveys of Churchyard Yews. Or take these short cuts:
Removed article
At the beginning of the month we published an article telling the story of an unconventional method of caring for an old yew. The article was entitled "Rainham - A novel approach to Conservation". Its purpose was to highlight the random nature of care for Britain’s oldest trees, and the reliance on individual church members and church funds to provide for any work carried out. Some readers mistakenly thought that inclusion of the article signified our approval of the method used and were concerned that others might consider copying the procedure. The article has been temporarily withdrawn from the website and will be reinstated at a later date along with a paper summarising the existing expert opinions, research and standard good practices which show why this treatment should never be considered.
Lost yews are recorded at Shalstone, Sanderstead and Stockton-on-Teme, while at Seathwaite in Cumbria the old churchyard yew appears to be dying. |
What's New - July 2011 New articles added this month:
The Yew Avenue in the Churchyard at Bentley – Toby Hindson
Several site visits have been written up by Peter Norton:
East Tytherley in Hampshire: Hare Warren and Bishopstone Down in Wiltshire: Stansted Forest in West Sussex. Research in Stansted Forest was carried out with Hugh Milner.
The following new sites have been added – the majority include photographs. The trees are Notable, unless otherwise indicated by (V) Veteran or (A) Ancient:
Apley Castle: Gilgarran Rose Gardens: Kinsham (Upper), Shirley Farm – Ancient Tree Hunt
Ebrington: Ewyas Harold (V): Kilpeck: Lindridge: Taliaris (V): St Devereux (V): Sutton Courtenay – Tim Hills
Alton Barnes: Ashford Hill: Boxford: East Kennet: Finchampstead: Great Shefford: Iwerne Minster: Kingsclere: Newtown: Pamber Priory: Preshute: Silchester: Wasing: Wolverton – Peter Norton
Chalford – Tony Preece
New photos have been added to illustrate yews at the following sites:
Albury: Gladestry: Ufton Nervet – Ancient Tree Hunt
Hewelsfield: Llansadwrn – Tim Hills
Aldingbourne: Breamore Park: Charminster: Crawley: Midgham: North Hayling: Sherbourne St John: South Hayling: Tangmere: Walberton – Peter Norton
Colwinston; Llantrithyd Park – Tom Seymour
Lost yews are recorded at Birdham and West Hendred |
What's New - June 2011 New Yew Sites A large number of new yew sites have been added to the Gazetteer in the last two months. Of particular note are Upland Yew sites in North Yorkshire, where the intrepid Tim Laurie has been recording yews growing out of limestone cliffs and on the scree slopes. The Ancient, Veteran or Notable status given to individual trees is the same as that on the Ancient Tree Hunt website, where they were first recorded. These are important trees and might well prove to be our oldest yews. Find them in the Gazetteer at Arndale Beck Sheepfold Scar–West: Arndale Beck Sheepfold Scar–East: Arndale Hole Lower Scar: Arndale Springs–Upper Scar: Clints Scar: Dicky Edge-east side of Throstle Gill (1) : Dicky Edge-east side of Throstle Gill (2) : Clapgate Gill: Deep Dale: Ellerton Scar: Fell End, Arkengarthdale: Kexwith Beck Scar: Whitcliffe Scar The following new sites have been added – all with photographs. The trees are Notable, unless otherwise indicated by (V) Veteran or (A) Ancient: Bottom Wood, near Pangbourne (V) : Box Hill Estate: Brasted: Burrs Wood, Ashurst: Chandlers Wood, near Chartwell (V) : Coleshill Park: Croft Castle Park (V) : Crundale: Dam House, Astley: Denge Wood: Ditton Place, Staplefield: Dormansland (V) : Drayton: Englefield: Foy: Frittenden: Great Comberton (V) : Groombridge: Hendon: Ickworth House: Lacock Abbey: Lakeside-Landing Knott Wood: Mersham: Myddelton Gardens: Old Coulsdon, Devilsden Wood: Preston Bagot: Scotney Castle: St Leonards Forest, Horsham (V) : Sundridge: Sunningwell: Tarrington: Westfield Wood, North Downs - Ancient Tree Hunt Rushton Spencer - Alfred Ellis Letton - Phi Evans Staunton-on-Wye - Geoff Garlick Wormshill - Cliff Hansford Berkhamsted: Broughton Hackett (A): Chesham: Chesham Bois: Ellingham: Elmstone Hardwicke: Fladbury: Frome Vauchurch: Hanley William: Hampton: Hedgerley: Hurst: Limpsfield: Meifod: Old Windsor: Overbury: Peckleton: Quatford: Stoke Hammond: Tugford: Westbury - Tim Hills Naseby and Naseby Church - Tim Kellett Adlington - Trevor Langley Ham: Inkpen: Lytchett Minster (A) : Vernham Dean: Yapton - Peter Norton Wragby - Edwin Pretty Clayhidon - Barry Saich Chittlehampton - Elen Sentier The following sites have also been added – no photos: Arundel Castle: Bilsington: Cranleigh churchyard: Frensham: Hammer Hill: Henmead Hall,nr Cuckfield: Itchingfield: Preston St Mary: St Roche`s Arboretum: Upton Pyne: Westonbirt School: Willesborough - Ancient Tree Hunt Caddington - David Alderman Buriton: Hartley Witney: Langrish (2 veterans) - Russell Cleaver Bicton: Bitton: Bury Manor Castle: Cameley: Charminster: Chew Stoke: Cleeve Prior: Crawley: Donnington: Henllys: Homme Castle: Leonard Stanley: Llandewi Skirrid: Llanfarchell: Mordiford: Nercwys: Newnham: North Wootton: Old Heathfield: Penrhos, Powys: Shepton Beauchamp: Sherbourne St John: St Weonards: Stowey: Wick St Lawrence: Widworthy: Winkfield: Woolstaston: Wichling - Tim Hills Farnborough: Herne: Mertsham: Old Romney - Owen Johnson Abberley Hill (V) - Rob McBride New photos have been added to illustrate yews at the following sites: Bridge: Broomfield,Kent: Bunbury: Bystock: Cheddar: Compton Dando: Clyro: Dunkerton: Harlington: Kinsham: Little Chart: Monks Horton: Nonington: Speldhurst: Stelling: Upper Hardres: Wormsley - Ancient Tree Hunt Rowlestone - Keith Arrowsmith Hardwick Hall - John Durkin Chapel Allerton - Barry Evershed Dillington House - Helen Falconar Pensax: Swallowfield - Tim Hills Brabourne - Alastair McVail Brockley Combe: Combe: Ellingham: Hursley: Leigh Woods 1 and 2: Lytchett Matravers: Tangley: Wakehurst Place: Waverley Abbey - Peter Norton St Symphorien - Wim Peeters Llanrhidian - Simon Perkins Lorton - Edwin Pretty Stoke Gabriel - Juan Carlos Remolina Corhampton: Hampton Court - Steve Waters |
What's New - May 2011 New Yew Sites In May more than 100 new locations were added to the Gazetteer. Many more will be added during this month and a full list of these new sites will appear on this page at the end of June. County Surveys of Non - Churchyard Yews This new category is found under the headings Yew Articles – Non Churchyard Yews http://www.ancient-yew.org/ss.php/county-surveys-of-non-churchyard-yews/2/26/50 The first two reports are from Gloucestershire and Somerset, and more will be added to as time permits. This page is another step towards making publicly accessible all of the information I have gathered over the last 14 years. Major Survey of Churchyard Yews Peter Norton has completed another survey of churchyard yews, this time along the catchment area of the Dorset Stour. In a series of 3 articles he takes an inventory of churchyard yews along the Upper, Middle and Lower Stour. The articles are found on the Church of England page under County Surveys - Peter Norton - River catchment area Heart of England Tree Day - Toby Hindson
On the 27th of April I attended the International Society of Arboriculture's Heart of England Tree Day at the kind invitation of Russell Ball. It was an informal and enjoyable event attended largely by tree officers from around the country. The event was led by the indefatigable and knowledgeable Steve Falk who showed us a variety of trees including some enormous and unique limes, and gave us a master calss in conifer recognition. I gave a talk on the application of the Ancient Yew Group protocols in the perfect setting: under an old yew in the grounds of Ragley Hall. The day ended at Stoneleigh Abbey where we were stunned by Warwickshire's largest oak, measured on the day at 30' 5'' (9.26m) at breast height. |
What’s New - April 2011
Responsibility for Churchyard Yews A record of the yews in the Dioceses of Bristol, Chester and Lichfield has been added, and those of Rochester and Southwark amended. They are found on the Church of England webpage. Note on page 2 of these documents the empty column awaiting the names of those responsible for the management of individual trees. It states that “it is not known who is directly responsible for the management of these ancient, veteran or notable yews. Some will be in a Conservation Area, some will be in churchyards whose management has been taken over by the local authority. At others the responsibility for our oldest trees might fall to the Parochial Church Council or the Parish Council, and in some cases the fate of an ancient yew might be determined solely by the vicar acting with their churchwarden.” We are hoping that a representative from each Diocese will help us establish the status of the trees at each of these locations. In Wales we have added the first diocesan records, those of Bangor and Llandaff. They are found on the Church in Wales webpage. The issue of responsibility for yews in Welsh churchyards will be tackled at a later date. Articles Three nineteenth century poems have been added to the Poetry page http://www.ancient-yew.org/ss.php/poetry/2/27/30 The Service Yew; on Merrow Downs, written in 1855 The Ormiston Yew Tree, published in 1824 The Yew Tree of Penisal, published in 1836 Several pages of additional information have been added to the Crowhurst Yew in Surry article. Access this article at http://www.ancient-yew.org/userfiles/file/Crowhurst,SurreyApril%202011.pdf Hazlewood Castle There exist only a handful of old yews that have had their branches deliberately trained to the ground, where layered trees have grown in a circle around the tree and formed into a hedge. Examples of this botanical art are found and celebrated at Armathwaite Hall in Cumbria, Beaumanor Hall in Leicestershire, Morden Hall Park in Greater London and Shugborough in Staffordshire. Hazelwood Castle was a 5th, but for reasons unknown the owners have destroyed several hundred years of growth form this rare form of yew. http://www.ancient-yew.org/treeInfo.php?link=2947 New sites recorded: Horndean, near (N) – Stephen Cox Sherfield English-Old Church (N): West Tytherley-North Lane (N) – Peter Norton Willersley (N) – Tony Harrison Clearbury Down (N) – Peter Andrews St Nicholas (N) – Bruce McDonald The oldest yews in each countyhttp://www.ancient-yew.org/s.php/oldest-yews-in-each-county/2/44 This was formerly part of the FAQ page. It is now possible to see the examples without going into the Gazetteer. |
What’s New - March 2011 Our technical problems have been resolved and we are now able to add new articles. The following are now available on the webpage Individual Yew Reports for Churchyard Yews Peter Norton continues to survey yews both in and outside of churchyards. This month we include two more, to be found on the webpage Peter Norton Surveys of Non Churchyard Yews. It is always satisfying to have work recognised and appreciated. In the Spotlight on the Ancient Yew Group Chris Catling, writing in Current Archaeology, highlights the work being done by the Ancient yew Group. New sites recorded: Abbey Dore (N), Binsted (V and N), Dorstone (N) East Hoe Manor (N) Elton (N) Hardington Mandeville (N) - Tim Hills A single male branch on the female yew at Stoke Charity has been reported by Peter Norton. |
What’s New - February 2011 This month I have been able to add information and photographs of many new yew sites. Since we are now classifying trees as Ancient, Veteran or Notable this is reflected in the information below. We are still unable to add new articles, but hope to be able to do so during March. New sites recorded: Lost yews are reported at: New photos have been added: |
What`s New - January 2011 New website Spanish Yew Group Yew and archaeology |
| Copyright© 2012 - 2019 Ancient Yew |  |
 |
|