This colossal Yew tree {Taxus baccata} stands in the churchyard of St Bartholemew’s in the Herefordshire village of Much Marcel, Ledbury. The village is easily accessible by road and is located in a picturesque part of the English countryside, near the Malvern Hills.
It is vast, held up by a collection of wooden props and more ornate iron poles. Her estimated age has been set at 1500 years old, with a girth of almost 31 feet! Perhaps the most striking aspect of the tree’s size though is that set of benches set up inside, it really is that big.
In 2006 work was carried out to remove as much dead wood as possible to give the Yew a chance at thriving through the 21st century and beyond, this operation yielded six tonnes of waste which took eight trailer-loads to dispose of. New growth is evident in all parts of this grand old dame so this was a job worth doing – Hugh Williams
Natalia Joanna
Revd Val Tait, Rector of the Cider Churches Benefice, explains: “We are honoured to see our lovely Yew included in this list of ancient trees, as part of the late ‘Queen’s Green Canopy’. {The Queen’s Green Canopy listed 70 Ancient Trees which were dedicated to Her Majesty in celebration of the Platinum Jubileein 2022}.
The tree was featured some years ago in the BBC series “Meetings with Remarkable Trees” and has been praised by arboreal experts form Kew Gardens.
Lorne Wilden
The tree receives many visitors through all seasons of the year. As well as those who come specifically to seek it out for its history and importance as an ancient tree. It is especially popular for wedding couples to have a photograph seated together within its hollow, after their marriage in the Church. Walkers and cyclists find it a peaceful place for a rest with their refreshments.”
HISTORY
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A 13th century church, with a tree even older. The well known Yew grows on the south side. One month after the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953 the Reverend Graham Holly and Ernle Kyrle Pope of Homme House measured the girth of the tree. According to one Visitors’ Book for that year, at the height of 4 feet 6 inches from ground level, the girth was 30 feet and 1 inch. As mentioned above in 2006 the tree was again measured. At the same height from ground level, the girth had increased to 30 feet and 11 inches.
The Parochial Church Council have a certificate stating that the tree is at least 1500 years old.
Yews have long been associated with churchyards in Britain, particularly because of their symbolic links to eternity and immortality. In ancient times, they were considered sacred, with some yews believed to have been planted on the sites of pre-Christian pagan worship. In the case of the Much Marcle Yew, it is thought that the tree could have been standing long before Christianity took root in England, and may have been a focal point for spiritual activities.
The yew tree’s extraordinary age means it has been a silent witness to much of Britain’s history.
Beyond its symbolic and historical significance, the Much Marcle Yew is also ecologically important. Yews are long-living trees, and their resilience makes them a key feature in Britain’s ancient landscapes. The tree supports a diverse ecosystem, providing habitat for various species of wildlife, and its hardy nature exemplifies the yew’s importance in both cultural and environmental heritage – Kate Burton, Atlas Obscura, October 2024
“Building resilient forests for the future isn’t something that happens overnight – it’s a journey we’ve been on for more than 15 years.
As the climate changes and new pests and diseases emerge, we knew traditional forestry methods wouldn’t be enough. So, we pioneered a new approach: experimenting with innovative harvesting techniques, diverse planting strategies, and introducing tree species better suited to tomorrow’s conditions.
Today, you can see the results taking shape. We’re transforming Corsican Pine plantations into vibrant woodlands where no single species makes up more than 20% of the forest – creating healthier, more resilient ecosystems while maintaining continuous forest cover.
This work takes time – trees grow slowly, and every site has unique light, soil, and weather challenges. But we’re well on the way. Around Cannock Chase Forest, you’ll already spot species featured in the recently published “Forestry England’s Tree Species for the Future” list.
Our resilient forests mean thriving wildlife, sustainable home-grown timber, and landscapes that can adapt to a changing world. And we’re proud to lead the way”.
The 12 Days of Yule, often referred to as Yule or Yuletide, is a rich and vibrant festive season celebrated across various cultures, particularly in Northern Europe. This period traditionally spans from the winter solstice, which occurs around December 21st, to the beginning of January, encompassing a wide array of customs, rituals, and traditions that reflect the joyous spirit of the season. Each day of Yule holds its own unique significance, contributing to the overarching themes of rebirth, light, and community.
Below is an overview of each day and its associated customs, beliefs, and practices
Day 1: Winter Solstice (Yule)
The Not So Innocents Abroad by WallyMy Olde Country Home fb page
The first day of Yule coincides with the winter solstice, known as Yule itself, which marks the longest night of the year. This pivotal moment in the seasonal cycle symbolises the rebirth of the sun, as from this point forward, the days gradually begin to lengthen. Celebrations on this day often involve lighting candles, bonfires, and hearth fires, serving as powerful symbols of the return of light and warmth. Many people engage in rituals that honour the sun and express gratitude for its return, creating a sense of hope and renewal.
Day 2: Yule Blessing
Plentiful Earth
The second day is dedicated to Yule blessings, a time for families and friends to come together and express gratitude for the past year. It is customary for individuals to share their hopes, dreams, and intentions for the upcoming year, fostering an atmosphere of positivity and support. This day may involve special prayers or blessings, as well as the creation of a Yule altar adorned with symbols of abundance and prosperity, reinforcing the importance of community and connection.
Day 3: Feast of Yule
Norse Tradesman
On the third day, families typically gather for a grand Feast of Yule, which is a celebration filled with joy and abundance. This feast often features a variety of seasonal foods, such as roasted meats, root vegetables, and festive desserts, reflecting the bounty of the winter harvest. Traditional dishes that have been passed down through generations are often served, creating a sense of nostalgia and continuity. As families share this meal, stories and laughter abound, strengthening bonds and creating lasting memories.
Day 4: Gift Giving
The Not So Innocents Abroad by Wally
The fourth day is a cherished time for gift-giving, a practice steeped in history and tradition. Exchanging gifts symbolizes goodwill, generosity, and the spirit of giving, which can be traced back to ancient customs where offerings were made to deities or shared among community members during the winter months. This day encourages people to think of others and to express their affection and appreciation through thoughtful presents, fostering a sense of joy and connection among family and friends.
Day 5: Yule Tree Decoration
The Not So Innocents Abroad by Wally
On the fifth day, families partake in the delightful tradition of decorating the Yule tree. Evergreen trees, symbolizing life and resilience amidst the harshness of winter, are adorned with a variety of ornaments, lights, and natural elements such as pinecones and berries. This activity is often a joyful family affair, with everyone contributing their creativity and personal touches. The decorated tree serves as a focal point of the home, radiating warmth and cheer radiating warmth and cheer throughout the festive season.
Day 6: Yule Traditions
Jessica Mose
The sixth day is dedicated to engaging in various Yule traditions that have been cherished over the years.
This may include singing carols that celebrate the season, sharing stories that reflect the spirit of Yule, and participating in community events that foster togetherness. Many communities organise gatherings, fairs, or markets where people can come together to enjoy food, crafts, and entertainment, reinforcing the sense of belonging and shared celebration.
Day 7: Honouring Ancestors
Day seven is a poignant day of honouring ancestors, a time to remember those who came before us and to reflect on family heritage. This may involve rituals such as lighting candles in their memory, making offerings, or sharing stories that celebrate their lives and contributions.
By acknowledging and honouring ancestors, families strengthen their connections to the past and instill a sense of identity and continuity for future generations.
Day 8: Nature Appreciation
Yana DyhanaArtist Unknown
The eighth day is dedicated to nature appreciation, encouraging individuals and families to spend time outdoors, marveling at the beauty of the winter landscape. Activities may include taking peaceful walks in the snow, observing winter wildlife, or simply enjoying the tranquility of nature. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of connecting with the natural world, fostering a sense of gratitude for the earth and its cycles, even during the coldest months.
Day 9: Reflection and Meditation
Layla Morgan Wilde
On the ninth day, individuals set aside time for personal reflection and meditation. This day is dedicated to introspection, allowing people to contemplate their experiences from the past year and to set intentions for the new year ahead. Many choose to engage in mindfulness practices, journaling, or quiet contemplation, creating a space for personal growth and renewal. This emphasis on self-awareness and intention-setting can lead to a more purposeful and fulfilling year.
Day 10: Community Service
Rebecca Swanner
The tenth day is a call to action, encouraging individuals to engage in community service and acts of kindness. This may involve volunteering at local shelters, donating to food banks, or helping neighbours in need. By giving back to the community, individuals embody the spirit of generosity and compassion that is central to the Yule season. This day emphasises the importance of supporting one another, especially during the winter months when many may struggle.
Day 11: Family and Friends Gathering
Rebecca Swanner
The eleventh day is all about gathering with family and friends to celebrate the season together. This day is filled with warmth, laughter, and storytelling, as loved ones come together to share their experiences and create lasting memories. Many families host open houses or parties, where the joy of togetherness is celebrated through food, games, and shared traditions, reinforcing the bonds of love and friendship that enrich our lives.
Day 12: New Year’s Eve
Jean McCurdy Meade
The final day of Yule culminates in the celebration of New Year’s Eve, often marked by festivities that include fireworks, parties, and various cultural rituals to welcome the new year with joy and hope. People reflect on the past year while looking forward to new beginnings, often making resolutions or setting goals for the year ahead. This day for the year ahead. This day encapsulates the spirit of Yule, celebrating renewal, community, and the promise of brighter days to come.
While the specific customs and significance of each day may vary across different cultures and regions, the overarching themes of community, gratitude, and the return of light during the darkest time of the year remain universal.
The 12 Days of Yule serve as a meaningful reminder of the importance and significance of each day may vary across different cultures and regions, the overarching themes of community, gratitude, and the return of light during the darkest time of the year remain universal. It also serves as a meaningful reminder of the importance of connection, reflection, and celebration as we transition into a new year filled with possibilities.
During midwinter celebrations such as Yule holly was brought indoors not merely as decoration but as a sacred allv. Its presence honoured the continuitv of life, the promise of the sun’s return, and the protective forces needed to endure the harsh season. In pagan symbolism, holly is not a plant of softness or abundance, but one of discipline, guardianship, and quiet power–an evergreen reminder that life persists even in darkness
‘Lowarnes’ has landed at The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Redruth, Cornwall — a six-metre {19.7 feet} vixen fox that leaps through the Georgian Ride Woodland.
It is crafted from 600 pieces of russet wood reclaimed from a 150-year-old rhododendron tree felled by Storm Darragh on the estate in December 2024.
It was sculpted by Sue and Pete Hill with Hal Silvester, she honours Heligan’s wild heart and poetic soul. Sue and Pete are also the artists behind the beloved Mud Maid and Giant’s Head
Laura Smit-Chesterfield, director of visitor experience at the gardens, said the sculpture was “a glorious celebration of Heligan’s wildlife”.
The tree predated World War One, a spokesperson said.
As the wood ages, it is expected to fade to a lighter, silvery tone, reflecting the change in a real vixen’s fur after she has become a mother.
The sculpture is accompanied by a collection of Heligan-inspired poetry from poet laureate Simon Armitage, with both works “highlighting and celebrating the wildlife who make Heligan their home”.
Ms Hill said Armitage’s poem, Den, “speaks so powerfully of the wild, feral nature of foxes”.
She said a photograph of a pouncing fox taken on the Heligan estate by Andy Wilson was the artists’ “core inspiration”.
“Lowarnes has her gaze set on you as her prey,” she added.
In celtic pagan mythology, the year is seen as a battle between two figures. The Oak King who rules the light half of the year, Summer and the Holly King who rules the dark half of the year Winter.
The Holly King is defeated by the Oak King at the Summer Solstice and the Holly King takes back the throne at the Winter Solstice, Yule. This represents the sun’s rebirth and the slow return of the light. Holly’s prickly, thorny leaves were believed to repel malevolent spirits, mischievous fairies, and bad luck. Bringing it into the home, was a way to fortify the house against winter hardship and dark forces. Placing holly near doors and windows was a common practice for household protection. Holly is often associated with the masculine principle, while Ivy is associated with the feminine. Together in a wreath, they symbolize the union of the sexes and the balance of nature. Despite it’s protective qualities for humans, tradition holds that fairies would take shelter in holly bushes during the harsh winter. Bringing Holly into the home was also a way to share warmth with the nature spirits. Holly was sometimes used to induce prophetic dreams. If a person wished to dream of their future love, they might place a sprig of Holly under their pillow. Holly’s enduring green color and vibrant red berries in the midst of winter darkness, made it a powerful symbol of everlasting life and the promise that the sun would always return.
Forestry England are delighted to announce that Whinlatter Forest near Keswick has been awarded a VisitEngland Gold Accolade for the second year running, and third time in five years.
These prestigious awards are based on the results of VisitEngland’s Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme assessments, reflecting the attractions’ commitment to providing an exceptional visitor experience and the incredibly high standards they achieve.
The team from Whinlatter Forest attended the awards ceremony in Warwickshire (12th November 2025), where they were presented with their award certificate alongside other winners from across the country.
Mark Holroyd, Head of Recreation and Communications for Forestry England’s North District said:
“This prestigious national award celebrates the Whinlatter recreation team’s unwavering dedication over many years to delivering consistently exceptional experiences and facilities for all our visitors. Such recognition is a fantastic achievement, but to do so for a second year running, as well as previously in 2021, really highlights the passion they have for truly outstanding customer service.”
Before the bright red suit became famous around the world, Santa Claus had another form — older, wilder, and deeply connected to nature. This was the Green Santa, a figure rooted in ancient winter traditions and the spirit of the earth.
In early European folklore, the Green Santa — often known as Father Christmas — was not just a giver of gifts. He was the embodiment of winter’s magic, the turning of the seasons, and the quiet promise of renewal.
Clothed in deep green robes, he symbolized: • the life hidden beneath the snow • the evergreen trees that survive the cold • the return of sunlight after the longest night • the sacred cycles of nature
Long before modern celebrations, people honored the winter solstice through Yule, lighting fires and decorating with holly and ivy. During this time, the Green Santa appeared as a guardian of warmth, joy, and rebirth — a gentle reminder that even in the darkest days, life continues.
It was only in the 20th century that the red-suited Santa became popular, replacing the older green-clad spirit. Yet the Green Santa still lives on in folklore, pagan traditions, and the heart of winter magic.
He is the spirit of nature, renewal, and ancient festive joy — the Santa of the forests, the evergreens, and the old ways.
If you vote for Reform they will stop the madness of burning trees at Drax – the controversial power station in North Yorkshire, which is Britain’s largest single emitter of carbon dioxide, and burns not just wood, but clear-cuts virgin forests.
At the start of a Reform government, they will revoke the long-term contracts Drax has hoodwinked politicians into agreeing, through which it receives billions of pounds in ‘green’ subsidies from you, the billpayers.
Drax’s 375ft cooling towers are a monument to Net Zero hypocrisy. Its furnaces would have never have started burning wood were it not for the folly of energy ministers past and present.
It barely seems credible that this previously coal-fired power station was paid to convert to burning wood, which belches out even more CO2.
Drax consumes one tree every second. Since 2012, 300 million have been incinerated in this tree crematorium, which is six times more than there are in the New Forest.
Only, none of them come from these shores. They are imported, mostly from North America, making the 6,000-mile journey on diesel freighters for good measure.
And these are not just any trees. Last year the firm was fined £25 million by the regulator Ofgem for misreporting where its wood pellets came from – primary forests in British Columbia, Canada.
In the name of climate change, it is ruining these never-harvested forests, which over millennia have become vast stores of carbon, flattening the homes of an extraordinary richness of plants and animals.
In short, Drax is costing the earth and costing you a fortune. And who came up with this madness? Step forward Ed Miliband who in 2009 announced the then Labour government would ‘ramp up’ the burning of ‘sustainable’ wood at Drax.
Let me lecture Mr Miliband on sustainability: If anything on this earth is not sustainable, it is the industrial destruction of primary forests. That the Government has given Drax £8 billion in subsidies since 2012 makes this carbon catastrophe also a political scandal – one that is 12 times more expensive than the Post Office one.
Mr Miliband is the author of this disaster, but others share the blame.
Back in 2010, he was replaced as climate secretary by two Lib Dems in the coalition government.
First was Chris Huhne. His political career ended in ignominy when he went to prison, but that didn’t stop him walking into a job at a wood pellet company – one with which he had held an official meeting when in power. Nothing to smell there then, apart from burning wood.
Mr Huhne was replaced by one Ed Davey. And things got no better under the Tories. On their watch, Drax CEO Will Gardiner personally trousered £5 million in just one year – emptying your pockets for polluting the skies.
Now we are back with Mr Miliband, the destroyer of forests and jobs. Because the electricity that comes from wood transported halfway round the world costs twice the price of gas. British industry is dying because our electricity prices are the highest in the developed world.
The Government claims that it will get a better deal. Better for Drax, not you.
For Mr Miliband has promised Drax bosses that he will not just extend their ‘welfare payments’ for another four years but also increase the price you have to pay by 11 per cent. So you will be forced to pay higher priced ‘renewable’ subsidies to a company that, in 2023, was responsible for almost 3 per cent of Britain’s entire CO2 emissions.
Not that the power station’s annual 12 million tonnes of carbon ever appear on our Net Zero ledger. Why? Because Mr Miliband pretends that replacement trees immediately reabsorb all the CO2 from the atmosphere, when science says that takes the best part of a century.
So despite burning wood being more polluting, Mr Miliband makes Drax’s emissions magically disappear. Net Zero made easy.
Still worse could come, because Drax executives are trying to persuade him to give them even more billions to capture the power station’s emissions.
It’s an additional process that would make the firm’s electricity absurdly inefficient – Drax would consume twice as much energy than it would supply to the grid.
Oil and gas are far more efficient and therefore cost much less. For instance, our wind farms require huge amounts of cement and steel. These vast machines are made in China at enormous cost to the environment and your pocket. They also require hundreds of miles of unsightly pylons.
If the wind does not blow, gas-powered stations have to be fired up at great cost. And if there’s too much wind, more than the infrastructure around the remoter farms off the coast of Scotland can handle or store, their owners are paid millions to switch their turbines off.
This lose-lose farce is killing our economy. Efficient decarbonisation must be led by technology, not hare-brained central planners in our energy department.
In government, Deputy Leader of Reform UK Richard Tice says “I will stop this economic suicide by high energy prices. Reform UK is preparing to repair the damage. In redesigning the grid we will get the balance right between decarbonisation, affordability and engineering common sense.
We have already told the subsidy vultures that the reckless 20-year wind farm contracts that Mr Miliband is trying to saddle us with will be null and void.
Today, I am telling Drax that they will get the same treatment. The deal they have done with Mr Miliband will be over. The subsidies will stop. Immediately.
The same will happen if the Energy Secretary tries to rush through a multi-decade carbon capture scheme. He can sign contracts – but they will not bind the hands of the next Parliament. He will not wreck the British economy for a generation.
I am making two further announcements. First, we will set a date for the last tree to be burnt in a British power station. To that end, I am inviting firms to write to me with a timetable to replace this unacceptable fuel. Since burning wood is the most inefficient of fuels, every alternative will produce lower emissions and costs.
Second, if Drax threatens to turn out the lights, then, in a blink of an eye, it would be put under new ownership. Without compensation.
If Drax shareholders want to salvage their position, they can start today by getting rid of the executives whose serial dishonesty has placed the company in the crosshairs of so many regulators.
Those regulators are investigating matters so serious that Drax has become a career graveyard for its executives. Its shareholders need to understand the eye-watering sums Drax’s CEO has paid lawyers in an attempt to wriggle free from accountability like a greased piglet.
Reform will put an end to the Drax scandal, something the other parties have singularly failed to do.
The Tories, Lib Dems and Labour are hopelessly compromised by the firm. The Greens – led by Zack’ Polanski are not a serious party.
It is because of charlatans like him that billpayers were saddled with this environmental and economic nightmare, which only Reform has the will to fix.
Tree Weaver 