EHDC councillors help villagers save ancient yew tree for future generations

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EHDC councillors help villagers save ancient yew tree for future generations

3,000-year-old tree secured with the help of councillor grants.

A campaign to raise funds for the construction of a special brace to prevent one of Britain’s oldest trees from collapsing has ended in success.

The 3,000 year old Ancient Yew Tree in Farringdon is one the country’s ten oldest trees and is of special national and international scientific interest. 

Despite its worn appearance the yew tree continues to show healthy signs of growth, which is why it has been so essential to save the tree.

A campaign set up by All Saints Farringdon Parochial Church Council (PCC) in late 2019 has raised over £13,000 and in late October of this year a bespoke bracing system was installed.

Some of the money raised came from local EHDC councillors Cllr Ken Carter and Cllr David Ashcroft who both dipped into their grant funds to support the project.

The structure will ensure that the tree continues to grow and remain stable for many generations to come.

Age has taken its toll on the tree, which is why it has been so important that this nationally important tree is prevented from deteriorating any further.

“As custodians of the churchyard, the PCC decided to take action to save the tree for the village and the nation by setting up an appeal to raise the necessary funds,” said Bryan Orchard, All Saints PCC Member. “Without the generosity and support of many individuals and organisations, the wear on the tree over the next decade would have resulted in its probable loss.”

The funding has come from many people and organisations including Farringdon residents, friends of the village, The Woodland Trust, East Hampshire District Council, the Syder Foundation, The South Downs National Park, the Parochial Church Council, Farringdon Parish Council and visitors to the church.

East Hampshire District Council supported the campaign from the outset, with Councillors Ken Carter and David Ashcroft becoming involved.

EHDC Cllr Ken Carter said: "The Farringdon yew is reputedly one of the oldest trees in the country, but it won't go on forever if we don't care for it and look after it." He continued: “The work done here to maintain it is absolutely fantastic and I am delighted to have been able to give a donation from my councillor grant fund towards that project. Hopefully, as a result of this work the tree will be with us for a few more centuries to come."

Joining him, Councillor David Ashcroft said:  "I am very pleased to have been able to use monies from my district councillor grant fund to help save this fantastic tree. Yew trees of this age are sadly becoming rare and the history surrounding them can take you back in time to when their use for medicine, building and bows were the reason they are cherished. Being green all year round lifts the heart in deepest winter and gives shade with pleasant scent in summer, a tree for all seasons."

Eleanor Marsden, of the Syder Foundation, said: "The Syder Foundation was delighted to support the efforts of the South Downs National Park to secure the future of the Farringdon yew: a unique witness to the regional landscape.”

Speaking on behalf of the SDNP, Dean Orgill, Chair of the South Downs National Park Trust, said: “We’re so pleased this iconic and nationally-important tree is being saved and are glad the charity has been able to play its part.

“Yew trees are synonymous with the South Downs – not only beautiful, but also havens for nature. We must do everything we can to conserve and enhance this wonderful landscape for future generations to be able to enjoy as much as we do.”

Bryan Orchard continues: “Arriving at a design of structure that has the minimum of impact on the tree has been challenging. In developing the bracing structure we had to strike a balance between giving support to the boughs and hollow trunk and ensuring that future growth would not be impeded. With the brace now installed it is hoped that the tree will continue growing for generations to come.”

Background information

The Farringdon yew is considered by arboriculturists to be one of the ten most important trees in the UK and is recorded in the Ancient Tree Inventory as a tree of National Special Interest. Classified as “ancient exceptional”, the tree measures 9.27m (30ft 6in) at its narrowest point and can be found close to the parish church in the heart of the village. It is a popular stopping-off point for ramblers and visitors to the village.

The English yew is one of Great Britain’s oldest species with the age of ancient and veteran yew trees ranging between 1000 and 4000 years old. The total number of yew trees in this category is now in the low hundreds and no other country in the world exceeds this figure. In the whole of Hampshire there are now just 27 recorded “ancient exceptional” yew trees...

The English yew tree is one of Britain’s oldest native species and was held sacred by ancient cultures and religions in pre-Christian times. Because of their longevity and ability to regenerate - old drooping branches can root and form new trunks - the yew tree has become a symbol of death and resurrection.  Yew trees are commonly associated with pagan sites of worship or burial grounds, so it is possible that this was influential when All Saints Church was built in the12th century.  What is certain is that the Farringdon yew tree predates the arrival of Christianity and the Roman invasion.

Photo caption: L-R Bryan Orchard, of the All Saints Parochial Church Council, Rhiannon Hoy, of the Woodland Trust, Cllr Robert Mocatta of EHDC and the South Downs National Park and Stewart Garside, EHDC Arboraculturalist with the 3,000 year old yew tree in Farringdon