Wearyall Hill Thorn (planted 1951), Glastonbury, as it was in 1995 and before vandals cut it down in 2010
This archive photo shows the thorn tree planted in 1951 after the Festival of Britain. It was a descendant, through propagation, of the original that reputedly sprang from the staff that Joseph of Arimathea thrust into the ground after disembarking on his voyage to Britain over 2,000 years ago. In 2010 vandals cut off its branches with a chainsaw and then completed its destruction by continuing to remove any re-growth. A replacement tree was also vandalised. It was a variety of Common Hawthorn found around Glastonbury that unusually flowers twice a year. It had become a focus for pagan worship, prayer and festivities.
Size: 4234px × 5669px
Location: Wearyall Hill, Glastonbury, Somerset, England, UK
Photo credit: © Jean Williamson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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