During the recent storms, it was very sad for FYI Talgarth to learn about the twin Ancient Yew tree being laid horizontal in the graveyard at St Gwendoline's Parish Church Talgarth. We went with our camera to look at the damage caused and the obvious sad loss of two of the parish's oldest trees. Having contacted both the Church and Council we asked what would be happening to the wood of this lovely old tree and we are pleased to be able to tell the story so far.
We understand Mr Andrew Bufton of the Town Council has been in contact with Mr Tim Hills of the Ancient Yew Tree society and discussed what options for preservation if any are possible, also the Council are keen to make sure any wood that needs to be disposed of benefit the community at large. We will update this story as it continues. Meanwhile a tree that has stood possible for a 1,000 years or so waits to see what it's fate will be.
www.ancient-yew.org lists the following information regarding the trees in the grave yard at St Gwendoline's.
In 1834 Lewis's 'Typographical Dictionary of Wales' describes 'a churchyard ornamented with numerous Yew Tree's. When the 'Woolhope Society visited in 1910 they estimated some of the Yew trees being possibly a 1,000 years old. The website lists the yew trees on a map and we understand the tree listed as Yew Tree 3 is an ancient female tree consisting of two separate fragments leaning away from each other. The girth of the two trees was estimated at being at least 24' in diameter a really substantial tree.
Yew trees in church yards have long been identified with myths and legends. Here are some extracts from these ideas around why trees were planted and the meanings behind them.
What is the mythological significance of the yew tree?
During the Bronze and Iron Ages the different cultures developed their particular characteristics, their sets of moral and law codes, esthetics, language, customs, and so on. As part of the process, the ancient idea of the Tree of Life also changed to a multitude of forms. Often, however, it remained linked with the notion of a female deity or mother goddess. In the pre-hieroglyphic script of ancient Egypt, for example, the term for giving birth is directly derived from the word for tree. This shows what impact the Tree of Life once had on philosophy. In Egypt, the mother goddess was Hathor, and her tree, the sycomore fig (Ficus sycomorus) gave food and life in this life, while after death the ancient Egyptian expected to meet the goddess and her tree again to grant him eternal life. In ancient cosmology, the Tree of Life includes the process of death.
And so it is with the yew in the northern temperate zone. Its links with eternal life, death and rebirth are legion in Celtic and Anglo-Saxon and Nordic traditions, as well as those in southeastern Europe and Asia Minor. Local customs and rural traditions regarding the yew can eventually all be traced back to these ancient concepts. Christian churchyard traditions blended smoothly with these ancient roots, the yew remained a symbol of eternity. The terminology, however, changed from 'rebirth' to 'resurrection'.
By the 13th century, when the pre-Christian Nordic traditions (the Edda) were written down by a Christian monk, the northern European mythological image of the Cosmic Tree – Yggdrasil – had lost a big part of the nurturing, 'female' qualities mentioned above. Its foremost purpose now was to uphold the heavenly order of creation, and to deliver the runes to Odin and thus to humankind. This links Yggdrasil with the – also ancient (and international) – traditions of the Tree of Knowledge (of Good and Evil).
The original sources identify Yggdrasil as vetgrønster vida (= most evergreen tree) and barraskr (= needle-ash). Unfortunately, some historians in the 19th century took this all too literally and declared Yggdrasil an ash-tree, a 'myth' that still persists. But the ash is not evergreen nor is it a needle-tree, not to mention that there is no evidence whatsoever for a Scandinavian ash worship as opposed to plenty of material regarding sacred uses of the yew.
(Copyright © Fred Hageneder 2005)
Talgarth had seven trees listed with the site and now 1 described as two parts of the same tree have sadly been damaged to the wind and weather in recent times, initiatives to see if it is possible to preserve some growth from the tree are under investigation. FYI will continue to investigate this interesting story and bring you news as we learn more.
New update on the Yew tree are as follows:
Cllr Andrew Bufton met me at St Gwendoline's to explain the current situation. The council has the responsibility for arranging for clearance of the tree, mindful of the historical importance of this ancient Yew, they made contact with the 'Ancient Yew Group and Tim Hills from the society paid a site visit. Mr Bufton and Mr Hills discussed at length if and what could be saved from the tree. Yew trees do have the ability even after such devastation to regenerate new growth although this is slow. However this Yew estimated to be 1,000 years old has seen great changes in Talgarth, indeed it predates the church … if it could talk what would it tell us?
The contract has now been awarded to Huw Morris of Clyro an established and sympathetic tree surgeon. Mr Morris and his team have set about dismantling the fallen limbs. I talked at length with Mr Morris who has obvious compassion and knowledge of such ancient trees. Mr Morris is now able to offer wood from the tree for sale to artisans and members of the public. Even whilst we were talking a gentleman appeared to buy some wood for turning. As there are only about 60-70 ancient Yews in Wales, the chance to get hold of such old wood is rare. Anyone wishing to purchase wood should contact Mr Morris on 01497 822713. Once the main debris is removed the Council and Mr Morris will establish what can be left in the hope of regeneration of the tree. Obviously public safety plays a key part in any decision. It is also hoped that some of the tree may be used to make a commemorative piece for the Church. Although this is a long and slow process. Full details of the Yew's clearance will be made available in the up and coming Town Council News so be sure to read your next copy!
FYI would like to thank Cllr Bufton for his time talking about the Yew and we shared the feeling that this gentle giant was also being laid to rest. Yew trees are fascinating and important historical monuments to our history, although living they have been testimony to many passing phases of both the town and local residents history. It was only right that the care of this fallen tree was done with the up most care and concern for the preservation of its history and that it will be sensitively recycled. Cllr Bufton and Mr Morris certainly have ensured this.
For more information of ancient Yew tress see www.ancient-yew.org
For information on obtaining wood from the Yew: Huw Morris 01497 822713
www.huwmorristreeservices.co.uk/contact-us
For all Town Council enquiries contact the Town Clerk Mrs Josephine Rumsey josephinerumsey@btinternet.com
If you have a news stories you would like us to cover please contact FYI Talgarth on fyitalgarth@gmail.com or mb 0779 2677 457.
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