Nether Alderley Parish Council celebrates Britain’s ancient yews
Nether Alderley Parish Council has planted a yew tree propagated from an ancient tree over a thousand years old as part of The Conservation Foundation’s We Love Yew campaign to protect Britain’s ancient yew heritage. The young yew is one of 800 being planted across Britain to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, when it is thought the Ankerwycke yew provided shelter for King John during its sealing at Runnymede.
Great Britain has one of the world’s greatest collections of ancient yews, all far older than the Magna Carta and, often being among the oldest living thing in the landscape, can each tell their own story.
The We Love Yew campaign aims to raise awareness of Britain’s yew tree heritage, encourage better management for yews and regenerate the population.