New Holy Thorn Tree is planted in Glastonbury

A new Holy Thorn Tree was planted in Glastonbury on Saturday (September 24) in memory of Queen Elizabeth II and in honour of King Charles III.

Members of Glastonbury Town Council were joined by by Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset Mrs Annie Maw and Deputy Lieutenant Mr Thomas Sheppard, representatives of His Majesty the King, for the Holy Thorn Tree Planting,.

The ceremony began with a reading of the Henry III Charter at the Market Cross by Dr Tim Hopkinson-Ball and a blessing of the memorial Rowen Tree.

The civic party and members of the public then processed to bless the Pencil Oak tree, planted as part of the Queen's Green canopy on the day of the Holy Thorn Cutting in December 2021 at the entrance to St Dunstan's Car Park.

Finally, the civic party and members of the public made it into the garden of St Dunstan's house to plant and bless a Holy Thorn in honour of King Charles III and in memoriam of Queen Elizabeth II. The tree that was planted today was grown by Kew Gardens from a limb of the tree planted on Wearyall Hill in 1952.

The ceremony was drawn to a close by members of the Avalonian Free State Choir.

Photos by Glastonbury Town Council.