Visited Glastonbury, Somerset, on 18 December 2024,  to see the Cutting of the Thorn Ceremony.

Since the 1920s the people of Glastonbury have sent a flowering sprig from a Thorn tree growing in St John the Baptist’s churchyard to the monarch, or his consort.  When the Ceremony was last visited, in 2018, the tree appeared to be decrepit and heavily infested by mistletoe, Viscum album, but in 2024 it appeared much more healthy, almost devoid of mistletoe, and flowering well.  A young thorn tree, planted well away from the existing tree, though unlabelled and lacking flowers, appeared to be a Holy Thorn.

The Cutting Ceremony differs from year to year but basically it consists of one or two children cutting a flowering twig from the tree for sending to the monarch.  What actually happens to the twig once it arrives at the royal residence seems uncertain.  It was said that Queen Elizabeth had it placed on her breakfast table on Christmas morning, but according to St John’s Assistant Curate, who oversaw the 2024 Ceremony, she used to have it on her table at Christmas lunch, while her son has it placed on his writing table, when he writes his Christmas cards.  In 2024 safeguarding seemed to be paramount, and people were told not to take any photographs of the children; ‘any photographs you take belong to the children, not to you’.

By about 10 a.m. the schoolchildren and various dignitaries had gathered and two children cut a sprig from the tree.  Then followed a short service in the church.  Initially members of the public were banned from this due to safeguarding concerns, but later it was decided that people could be admitted if there was room left after the children and officials had taken their places.

Later a visit was made to Wearyall Hill, where a Holy Thorn stood for many years, until it was severely vandalised in 2010.  At first it seemed as if the tree would survive, but it eventually died, as did a replacement tree planted in 2011, apparently having been deliberately destroyed.  Another replacement, planted in 2023, survives, thrives and  flowers.  On the 18 December a group of eight people gathered around the tree to hold an ‘anti-establishment ceremony’, which they regarded as more authentic, and older, than the earlier event held in the churchyard.  The leader, who had ‘been on pilgrimages all around the world’, had removed a twig from the tree in the churchyard and this would be burnt, its smoke bringing peace to the world.  Two standard florists’ bunches, one of red and the other of white, roses, were placed near the thorn, presumably by the anti-establishment group.

Comments, etc., would be greatly appreciated; please send them to roy@plant-lore.com

27 December 2024.