Worcestershire's Oldest Yew Trees
It’s the season of thinning veils, when ancestors and departed loved ones are thought of as being nearer than usual. Walk to a local graveyard, light a candle, do the old things we have always done. The Irish and Mexican traditions show us how feasting and merriment are part of honouring too. In Britain, a walk to an ancient yew tree can hold this mood, a reminder that death and life are entangled.
ChatGPT tells me that the oldest yew trees in Worcestershire are at St Nicholas Church in Warndon. Located on the outskirts of Worcester and subject to myriad housing estates, there are enough remnants of the old land available in well maintained green corridors and occasional woodland.
First the church. Dating from the 12th century, St Nicholas stands on the site of an ancient settlement and is thought to have origins stretching back to Anglo-Saxon times. Its most striking feature is the black-and-white timber-framed tower, added in the late 15th or early 16th century. Remarkably, the church escaped Victorian restoration, retaining much of its medieval character, including 14th-century features and old box pews.
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| Wooden Tower at Warndon |
It's "Doors Open" but I didn't expect it to be occupied. The church organist, Alan, practicing. A friendly fella, he gave me a leaflet and asked my favourite hymn. I replied "as a Baggie, it would have to be the Lord is my Shepherd". He stretched his fingers and played something completely different. Alan is a Wolves fan.
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| The box pews and font |
The yew trees matched up to ChatGPT's recommendation. Two, seemingly consuming the headstones and with little ribbons tied into the branches.
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| Yew |
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| Exact age unknown |
There is an official Warndon Heritage Trail that follows many of the same paths on the Wild About Worcester route followed this time last year.
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| Inspirational Benches |
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| Amongst the housing, ancient oaks. |
A short but pleasant walk and I meet the 35 bus back to town - not quite at a bus stop, but with enough pleading in my eyes and waving of hands that the driver takes pity.
The Horn and Trumpet is an unexpected entry in my Historic Inns of Interest book.
It's still owned by Marston's - who over the years have knocked all those aforementioned bars together into one continuous space. Sports screens dominate and it's an early opener - attempting to compete with 'Spoons for the Carling with Breakfast brigade. Surprisingly, they do get some trade from those that think JDW is below them.
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| A previously unvisited Marston's |
