The Chapman Yew

The Yew in the Churchyard of St Michael’s on the path to the front door was planted by Mr Chapman in either 1731 or 1732. Robert Chapman planted the tree so that it would cover his and his wife’s graves. This it does, since they are buried in “two narrow cells” by the Hulse memorial. The Vicar at the time asked two local boys to measure its circumference, but that didn’t happen, and they finally got round to measuring it in 1803. It has been measured periodically over the centuries, including by my father, Stan Stringer, and my late brother Jonathan, in the year of Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee. Fifty years later, in the year of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, 2022, it has been measured by some of Stan’s Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren.

Dominic Stringer, Samson Stringer, Clive Stringer, Hayley and Olivia Newman (Stan’s great grandchildren), Clare Newman (Stan’s granddaughter)

Sharon Stirman and Keith Simons were there to represent the Church and to record the measurements.

The circumference of Yew Tree at various times

My sister and I have funded a new plaque to replace an old one which is faded and has no room for new measurements.  This is now in place.