Fall and Rise of The Great Selborne Yew Tree
by The dramatic story of how a violent storm in 1990 brought an end to 1,400 years of English history.
On the 28th November 1992, witnessed by a gathering of people from the village, one-year-old Peter Elderton – assisted by the vicar of Selborne – added the final piece of soil round the base of the 2ft. tall tree.
The little sapling still continues to thrive.
(For those wishing to see it, the short stump of the original Selborne Yew still stands in the churchyard of St. Mary’s.)
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For more information and useful links about the history of the English Parish Church, please visit the English Parish Churches website.
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Further church-related articles by Charles Moorhen
Exploring the English Village Church: Lych Gates.
Exploring English Village Churches: Church Clocks.
Exploring the English Church: Church Doors
Exploring the English Church: Gravestones
Exploring the English Church: Lost Medieval Church Paintings of England
Exploring the English Church: Church Door Sanctuary Handles
Origins of Traditional Wedding Customs
Bricked Up Heart and a Ghost in Woodford Church
Exploring the English Church: The Baptismal Font
Exploring the English Church: The English Churchyard
English Churches: Selborne Church in Hampshire
English Churches: Cheriton Church in Hampshire
English Churches: Brixworth Church in Northamptonshire
English Churches: Clifton Hampden Church in Oxfordshire
English Churches: Charwelton Church in Northamptonshire
‘Pure White Crosses’: World War One Poem
‘Pure White Crosses’: (The Musical Version of the Poem)
‘They Made Me Stay Behind’: World War One Poem
‘I Believed You Honourable’: World War One Poem
Autobiographical stories of the 1950’s and 1960’s by Charles Moorhen:
Santa Claus is Hiding Behind the Curtain
A Double Decker Mystery That Lasted Nearly 40 Years
The ‘Bread-Roll Lady’ Visits Our Estate
Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining
Along Dover Promenade For a Walk In My Past (Part fiction)
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Post Commentinspirearun
On November 12, 2010 at 3:26 pm
I like it…
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TrevorS
On December 3, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Charles, this is a fascinating story, thank you for it. I, too, have an interest in the history of old churches and cathedrals, and the architecture, and I have a fascination for Selborne. I travel to Alton often, and always stop in Selborne to take pictures, or just to look. I will make a point of going to the church next time, and will look at the Yew.
TrevorS
On March 28, 2011 at 4:54 pm
I recently visited the Selborne Church, and Gilbert White’s House. Fascinating, especially since I am a passionate birder and student of their behaviour and life histories.
Will Laverton
On September 11, 2011 at 6:02 pm
I found this article yesterday after remembering this occasion being talked about as a child. I was brought up near by and was 3 when it happened. I told my father about the article and he shared with me something that very few people know. He was walking home through the storm on the day it happened and actually witnessed the ancient tree fall over from 20 or 30 feet away!! As far as he knows he is the only eye witness of this historic moment.
If you are interested he has told me he would be happy to share his account of what he saw and felt with you.