For the lovely Lady who came into the shop and bought some Yew, and to everyone else who has bought Yew things from us over the past year xxx In Llanwrin Church yard, not far from Machynlleth, stands a Yew Tree. The tree has stood for many many years but in 1999 its branches reached the east wall of the church and the local farmer was asked to cut it down. The farmers family had lived for generations in the area and the Yew Tree had been an important part of their lives so before he cut the tree down, the farmer asked for it to be carbon dated, just so he could find out exactly how old the tree was. When the results proved that the tree was about 1,500 years old the Farmer refused to cut it down but agreed to coppice it instead. From the tree he carved a beautiful Processional Cross which he presented to the Church. On the one side, written in pyrography, were the words “Cross from the Yew Tree that stood for 1,500 years in the East Wing”. On the other side he wanted to write his name plus the date he coppiced the tree in 1999, but due to a difference of opinion with various factors this was never done. Fifteen years passed and at last the farmer was given the opportunity to finish the Cross. The Cross was brought to us at Taran Eco Designs where the last of the pyrography was completed. It was during the work that a chance conversation arose as to the beauty of the wood. The farmer remarked that he had many pieces left from the coppicing work as he had never been sure what to do with the wood. They were just stacked in his yard waiting for ideas. From the yard the pieces were taken to the saw mill and from the saw mill they made their way to the Workshop where they have been made into the gifts you see in the shop today. To say thank you to the Farmer I wrote the following poem ….. Five hundred years after Jesus died, A Yew tree started life. A tiny tree put by a grave, A gift from man to wife. The Yew Tree grew, But the world did too And a church was built of stone. A wall came next, a gate, a road, Until the Yew Tree was enclosed. And still the Yew Tree spread its arms Embracing graveyard souls, Until one day it reached the church, And touched those age old stones. Its silent growth was noted then. By men afraid of harm. A committee met, a choice was made, It was delivered to the farm. The Yew Tree has to go, they said, So the tree was coppiced down. Its arms and limbs were stacked to dry, In a yard not far from town. For fifteen years those pieces sat, In sun and hail and rain, Until at last they came to us, To be gifted once again. Thank you love Kerriann xxx
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 09:52:12 +0000
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