There are some beautiful yew trees in the churchyards and cemeteries of the Sid Valley – and they are a much loved tree.
Last summer, a visitor was particularly enthusiastic about Britain’s Ancient and Sacred Trees | And I love Yew and Yew and Yew very much indeed.🥰🥰 Met these three Yew Trees in Sidmouth today.😇🥰
And for another summer, in his regular piece in the Herald, Ed Dolphin looked at the parish churchyard and how yew trees make it a special place. As he says:
There are several theories about why English churchyards are so often planted with yews. It has been suggested that the timber provided income to the priest when it was used to make long bows, but this is very unlikely otherwise there would be no ancient yews left. Another suggestion is that the poisonous trees were planted to deter local farmers from letting their livestock graze the churchyard. The most likely explanation is that it is a hangover from pagan times where evergreen trees, and yews in particular, were considered magical and planted in sites of religious significance. Whatever the story, their sombre presence helps to make the churchyard a special place.
So, we need to be looking after our yews.
And further up the Valley, the Cherishing Sidmouth Cemeteries project has been caring for yew trees at Sidmouth Cemetery – and in appreciation for doing so, they have just been sent a certificate by the Caring for Gods Acre people:
Congratulations to the volunteers of the CSC working party!
And love your yews!
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