Did you miss the Holy Thorn cutting ceremony? You can watch it here

By Laura Linham

14th Dec 2023 | Local News

A local tradition dating back centuries, this year's Holy Thorn ceremony marked the first time a King has received the sprig in 60 years.

In Glastonbury, the festive season does not really begin until a sprig is taken from the holy thorn tree and sent to the monarch.

The oldest child from St John's Infants School - Enoch Abley - took the cutting from the thorn in St John's churchyard in the centre of the town last week, aided by the Mayor and there will be a brief blessing by the Vicar.

And a local videographer has captured the entire ceremony and the church service following it. Gabriel Avalon, who runs the YouTube channel Glastonbury Gabriel documented the event as part of his channel, which focuses on everyday life in Glastonbury and beyond.

Gabriel filmed the whole ceremony and even managed to fit in a few interviews with the great and the good of Glastonbury. So if you, or a little one who was at the event were disappointed not to see themselves on TV, the chances are you'll spot them in this video.

The history of the Thorn Cutting ceremony

The tradition of sending a cutting, which dates back to Charles I, is to remind the Royals of the historic ties between them, Glastonbury and the church.

According to legend - which some historians dispute - Joseph of Arimathea visited Glastonbury with the Holy Grail. He thrust his staff into Wearyall Hill, which then grew into the original thorn tree.

But following the English Civil War, the execution of Charles I, and the replacement of the monarchy with the Commonwealth of England, Oliver Cromwell ordered that the tree be cut down because it was a relic of superstition.

Legend says that as it fell, its thorns blinded the axe man in one eye. However, as with all good stories, it did not end there and local people protected and cultivated the tree in secret until such a time when a new chapter for the Holy Thorn could begin.

Then in 2010, the new thorn was vandalised once more, and a cutting from it has since been grown by Kew gardens and returned to the town following the passing of The Queen - while another cutting remains at a secret location in the town.

     

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