Glastonbury Holy thorn on Wearyall hill vandalized 9 Dec 2010

[21Mickyman]

Angecm , a couple of shoots ??? I am glad to know that, is the thorn tree still recovering ???

[jacquesjunk]

Not everyone cares for history, stories traveling to actual sites & place of historic events, but I do, & I was lucky enough to be taken around the world by my late working-class dad & my mom to see things like this, Sherwood Forest & other places. I have stories to tell & great memories. That isn't important to everyone, but vandalism is sad & frustrating on any level because it's not just visually violent, it's destructive, arrogant, & pointless like some of the dipsh*t comments on here.

[Angecm]

I was there a couple of months ago, and it seemed to have a couple of new shoots on it, thank goodness. Love the Jack Russell!!

[stuartwwillis]

This was probably a safe haven for many people, to go and reflect and think... I'm not religious or spiritual in any way and on the plus side it will grow back and its just a tree.... But yes It is pretty sad given the history of that little tree.

[zaggy3110]

Or it was the work of some of the future masters of GB - moslems.

Worshipping of trees is against Allah and the holy quran.

[zaggy3110]

It was an symbolic act.

England is finished.

[SimplisticSusans7o67]

@zaggy3110 England was finished a long long time ago !

"Great" Britian is totally up it's own arse ;-)

Just another piece of crap to be washed away when the "Capitalist Cistern" gets it chain pulled !

Peace ;-)

[FireEyedMaidOfWar]

I muse if this mythical tree inspired Monsieur Tolkien somewhat to the creation of the White Tree of Gondor, which has similar functions in the world of Middle Earth than this one has in England…

[jenwill11]

So sad about what happened there. If the people who did this were hoping to shock, they got there way. But we are all saddened more than shocked.

[jenwill11]

Thanks for this video. Just one question. Why is it "Bizarre how it's becoming such a big drama"?

[narcoleptus]

@jenwill11 It went from being local news to national then international quickly then there was an announcement to the effect that a big budget Hollywood movie is being made about Joseph of Arimathea coming to Glastonbury and founding Christianity in Britain, thats quite a reaction to an act of petty vandalism on a thorn tree! We have a huge list of myths and legends in and around Glastonbury, why make out that certain legends are historical reality while the others are just myths?

[HebrewsTwelve22]

Beautiful video. I have many times enjoyed sitting in the shade of the thorn tree on lazy summer days watching the ribbons and prayers move in the breeze. I have prayed many times neath Its twisting branches. It will be sorely missed this summer and the skyline much changed by its loss but I am sure it will grow again. It has a good solid base and will receive much loving care and in a few years it will once again crown the hill and be enjoyed by Christian, pagan and traveller alike. God Bless!

[Gimmer3]

I am so so sad about the Glastonbury Thorne being chopped like this. My heart breaks.

[davidbarnstable]

@PrivateHudson90 It's bound to be happier than yours because I'm not an angry abusive moron! :-)

[PrivateHudson90]

@davidbarnstable muslim lover.

[davidbarnstable]

@PrivateHudson90 thanks...and humanity lover in general- even sick people like yourself can be healed with love. Anyway it's good to hear you say something positive. Good start!

[pittards]

I was born and raised in Glastonbury and it saddens me that someone could do such a thing.

[DIMLOADER]

Beautifully put together film which for me captures the sadness of what happened to the thorn but also shows that beauty and hope are. Still all around us. In the spring the tree will bloom again and those who know will know that light banishes all the darkness.

Namaste . One rise all rise. Dimlo.

[JERHxART]

@DIMLOADER My thoughts exactly !  Indeed the tree will grow with a new vigor and vitality :))

[tumbleweedjoe]

How evil it was to do this! What spite. I hope the tree blooms again.

[davidbarnstable]

@padster666  yet another zionist troll..really out in force today are'nt you

[4YHVHdaughter]

I don't like that the historical tree (which no one apparently is bowing down to and worshiping btw) was vandalized but thanks for sharing the video footage. What beautiful country side! Do we need armed guards at all of our treasured landmarks now? What pitiful scumbag would do such a thing?

Haven't I read that it was chopped down in the past? Hopefully it will grow back.

[Conan568]

Asshole's.

It will grow back though.

[01blackpete1]

People can't leave anything in peace. The longer I live the more humanity suks(

[alanamorgana]

Muito triste! Que Ártemis, Airmid, encontre esses monstros!

[mikesey1]

A sad but wonderfully made video, Tom.

[narcoleptus]

@mikesey1 thanks mike, happy xmas.

[TheAllypot]

Shame on anyone who believes destroying a tree will destroy a faith which gives meaning and sustainance to those who adhere to it.

[thenutintheushanka18]

This is a tragedy of a large scale to be sure, but only for its symbolic relevance. The real Glastonbury thorn was destroyed by parliamentarians during the English Civil War.

[theglastonburygirl]

@thenutintheushanka18 Does nay matter, it was still part of the original holy thorn bit like us and our children..besides which it is the principle and all that the holy thorn represents for people all over the world ..all creeds colours and religions, it is a mark of PEACE this is what someone has tried to sabatage...

[The2ndFaceOfDarknes]

@thenutintheushanka18 and now we stand at the brink of the second one !

It has already started for many, they are going to use water cannons on the demonstrators next.

The army will follow......

Peace :-)

[theglastonburygirl]

@The2ndFaceOfDarknes if we want peace we have to talk peace....who ever did this will get their own comeuppence...it always comes back, anyway if u believe in a holy creator then don't matter, we will all have to answer for our own misdemeanors. Nothing is hidden...

[theglastonburygirl]

The tears I cry you'll never see, betwixt the branches of tthe tree,

the pain inside my heart cries out, to make the shoots henceforth sprout.

They cannot kill the HOLY THORN, The mists will rise with the new dawn.

Then cover it with love and light, and put the darkness to its flight.

For when the buds sping out again, then peace will reign our hearts, Amen

[The2ndFaceOfDarknes]

@theglastonburygirl Amen.

Peace and Jah Love :-)

[EpicGifted]

cuts and trims may take our limbs, but hate won't uproot our faith.

our limbs can only grow back from here.

[ZandriaClark]

beautiful video !! very moving....

[JohnAndAnnieDeeley]

It's a lovely video Tom. Thank you for capturing all the beauty that exists none the less. Beautiful...

[JohnAndAnnieDeeley]

I love the little dog and the moon and the starlings and the music. It is sad to see the Holy Thorn

[theglastonburygirl]

I am F*****g SAD:(

[The2ndFaceOfDarknes]

@theglastonburygirl "The Darkest Hour is Right Before the DAWN"

Jah Love and Light will come ;-)

[1965Theolonius]

Whether you believe or not, to butcher a tree in such a way is a very SAD action by a very SAD individual. I visited Glastonbury as a child and those times still hold a special place in my heart. I don't count myself as religious but I respect the feeling of affinity with this beautiful place. Peace to the inhabitants of Glastonbury.

[The2ndFaceOfDarknes]

@1965Theolonius Jesus Wept !

Peace :-)

[kazuko0326]

oh and the news said it was cut down to the stump. it'll grow back, and even lusher than before. next time gotta put some surveillance cameras up hehehe

[The2ndFaceOfDarknes]

@kazuko0326 funny that !

The media are as ever trying to stir things right up.

Peace :-)

[Gabrielmoon777]

Agahahaha Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­ooooooooooooooo

such a beautiful tree and a symbol to all why dont people have any respect!!!

i'm 15 and i would never do anything as horrid as this

[mylenesven]

Holiness is in the heart dear. Your churches are only holy because of the people who sit in them, so can be a tree, a river, your own garden. There is nothing fake in people's heart, and as far as I know, living in glastonbury, everyone I know of whatever holiness they preach to belong to, all are sincere seekers. Those who cut the tree down have to be pitied for their complete ignorance of the beauty of this world and the spirit within themselves.

[DOHC2L]

@mylenesven Churches aren't holy, they're sacred.

Holiness is in the heart...

...whatever holiness they preach...

...the spirit within...

Why don't you use consistent terms? Holiness is in peoples hearts so how do they preach it?

Let A = "holiness in the heart"

Let B= "the spirit within"

It follows, A + B = The Holy Spirit

Love is of the heart, not holiness. Christian theology explains these things in human terms, as your attempting to do here. But you're not preaching from the heart!

[mylenesven]

@DOHC2L why do you try to use terms at all to speak of the sacred? why would a tree not be Holy/sacred/revered as a symbol of people's faith uniting in harmony, like a church could be (if we omit the massacres that this symbol justified for certain people along the centuries, starting with a horrific torture in the first place).

A tree is a tree. A symbol is deeper and doesn't need words and books to explain itself to the heart of people. you are the one preaching anything here, just open up !

[penthouse10]

@DOHC2L myleneseven says what he/she is feeling very poetically. You're being unbelievably uptight and (pardon the expression) incredibly anal. This is why people who believe in God can discard the church so easily; faith has NOTHING to do with churches nor rules of theology Living Faith is from the heart; not from rules of dead, dry theology written by man. I would think that Gnostic belief is more pleasing to God than pewfuls of church goers. The wonder of creation can be seen in a flower.

[EncompassedRunner]

I'm Christian & the tree wasn't "holy." Lot of *fake* Christian cults & white supremacist groups promoted this tree.

[richnfamous59]

@EncompassedRunner nevertheless, it was a cherished tree for many, regardless of their beliefs

[moiradut]

Beautiful video, haunting but beautiful, thank you

[moiradut]

Beautiful video, haunting but beautiful, thank you

[hvanoorschot]

An act of terrorism!

[BenniShogun]

I think that if the tree doesn't recover they should at least re-make the staff that it supposedly grew from to be remembered.

[The2ndFaceOfDarknes]

@BenniShogun maybe it was Joseph himself who cut it for that reason.

He could do with a Good Stick to sort the Bastards Out !

Peace & Jah Love ;-)

[penthouse10]

@TheAkinaka I'm not even a Christian, jerk off. I'm completely irreligious.. Don't bother addressing any more comments to me. I won't reply. I don't waste my time on trash. Sad, little, impotent man needs his possee of 17 burly boys. Yawwwwwwn. I'm going to sleep to dream about beautiful things. You might try anger management classes, girlie. Peace out...

[tazy38]

Lovely video, thanks. Shame the comment box has been taken over by idiots. Anti-christian atheist...morality borrowed from christianity...the earth is 6000 yrs old and flat...really? ;)

[The2ndFaceOfDarknes]

@tazy38 Don't forget about it being carried on the back of an very large Turtle !

We all know this is true it has been written in Many Books ;-)

Peace :-)

[higuma75]

By the way. This might not even be religiously motivated. he land on which the Holy Thorn stood is owned by Edward James, who was arrested this week in connection with an investigation into failed currency exchange firm Crown Currency Exchange, of which he is a director.

[higuma75]

@higuma75 According to the administrator’s report, Crown Currency collapsed owing £16million with little more than £3million in the bank. Last night there was speculation that the attack on the Holy Thorn may have been part of a vendetta against him.

[higuma75]

It's a tree. It's not holy. It's not sacred. It's a bloody tree. One of billions. I remember that the young christian church actually outlawed such idols. But eventually it became trendy because one could make money with it and the church always loved money.

[The2ndFaceOfDarknes]

@higuma75 isn't one of the 10 commandments something about false idols.

A holy Cow comes to mind !

Peace ;-)

(they are goning to make a load of dough out of this !!!)

[penthouse10]

Soul stirring; makes one think. The frustration of such dull, small minded little people to brutalize a tree. A tree can be a symbol of many different things to different people but ultimately it's a living thing. Let it be. There's an unrest happening in England (re: riots over tuition,) that one can't help but think if there's an underlying muslim link to all this anger and mayhem. Where islam goes, violence is sure to follow. Ardent atheism rises along with radical islam. Coincidence? Not!!

[PawnBACM]

It'll definitely grow back, unless they poisoned it too. The root structure on it is likely immense. They could have cut it off at the ground and it still would grow back. Kind of sad if you like trees, which I do. I'm not sure what the point was supposed to be, but I find it hard to believe there wasn't a better way to make it. It just seems sort of odd, but as strange as the world as getting, maybe it was the only way to make a point about "value" or "worth" in general. Whatever. Peace.

[kanefreeman1]

HAHAHAHA! I think the tree represents Christianity much better, being ugly and lifeless.

[HoldingOnToLiberty]

@kanefreeman1 No I think this tree represents you, ugly and lifeless. Too bad no one ever taught you to respect other people's religion or philosophy. If you had maybe you would't be such a maggot.

[penthouse10]

@HoldingOnToLiberty Notice how these ardent anti-Christian atheists are more dogmatic and intolerant in their beliefs about non belief? Atheism is a new religion. I've coined a new term; ATHEISTIC FUNDAMENTALISM. Dibs on the term and Merry Christmas!

[HoldingOnToLiberty]

@penthouse10 I like that, "Atheistic Fundamentalism". Or maybe "Atheistic Jihad" or "Born Again Atheist".

Atheists have no moral guidance so when the dumber atheists get together they vandalize because they don't see anything wrong with it. And if they are moral relativists then they feel justified in doing stuff like that.

The smarter atheist will tell you they have morals and they do. They borrowed them from Christianity because it is so entrenched in our culture.

[DOHC2L]

@HoldingOnToLiberty You have an interesting theory, add that to the cannon of atheist sacred scriptures. Future atheists will use it to justify themselves from dumber atheists. Wait - that makes future atheists hypocrites, as you put it, "if they are moral relativists..."

You're guessing! You have no moral guidance - What are you talking about?! I see you're trying to be truthful. Now strip that 'trying-to-be' from it. Don't be cynical - your stereotypes really describe yourself it's sad truth.

[HoldingOnToLiberty]

@DOHC2L Where does your morality come from? Where is the great big book of atheist morals than all atheists have all agreed on? How did you determine those morals as morals?

The best book of atheist morals I have ever read so far has been Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Unfortunately not all atheists subscribe to Rand's philosophy. Too many subscribe to Karl Marx's philosophy.

[DOHC2L]

@HoldingOnToLiberty The New Testament teachings of Jesus Christ The Old Testament Hebrew scriptures & Jewish prophets Aristotle St. Augustine St. Thomas Aquinas Immanuel Kant Adam Smith John Stuart Mill The Declaration of Independence Abraham Lincoln Abraham Maslow Charles Saunders Peirce Friedrich Hayek George Herbert Mead Martin Luther King Jr. Mother Teresa Ronald Reagan Sam Walton Charles Krauthammer &Captain Picard I believe in moral clarity, not abstract morality.

[HoldingOnToLiberty]

@DOHC2L Why are you even arguing with me if you agree that your morality comes from the Bible and Jesus Christ at the top of your list. We're on the same page.

Not to mention many of those in your list I also have respect for. Well except for Captaon Picard...it's hard to respect a fictional character.

[The2ndFaceOfDarknes]

@HoldingOnToLiberty the Sad thing is more people do have more respect for fictional characters than real ones in this day and age :-)

No wonder the world has "Gone Mad" !

Peace :-)

[The2ndFaceOfDarknes]

@DOHC2L I hope you follow the "Prime Directive" to the letter !

Ha Ha Ha

"Rules are made to be Broken"

Peace :-)

[higuma75]

@penthouse10 Because christians are so tolerant, right?

Check where tolerant comes from. It's NOT a good thing anyway.

[higuma75]

@HoldingOnToLiberty Why should anyone respect the religion of somebody else? Respect has to be earned. It's not free. It's not part of the Euro-peon governments' welfare checks. You gotta earn it and most religions haven't done anything to earn respect. Hundreds of years of massmurder in the names of their gods and you want people to respect shit like that?

[HoldingOnToLiberty]

@higuma75 I'm sorry. I couldn't hear you with the sounds of hundreds of million of people killed by the atheist communists. If you are judging evil based on body counts you have a lot more in a much shorter time to account for than any religion even Islam.

Why don't you, just for a minute, stop with the hate and look at all the good religion has done. It far outweighs the bad

Respect for other people's life, property or ideology does not have to be earned.  It's called morality. Look it up.

[jamesjeffreypaul]

Sad and sickening. But the tree will grow again.

[frjimt9455]

the wood of the cross becomes the tree of life...........

[reportanddeport]

Hey Brits, how's that Sharia law working out for you? You enjoying your country INFESTED with muslims, destroying all your ancient customs? They'll do ANYTHING to hurt you, burn you and desecrate you. You LEARNING yet?

[penthouse10]

@reportanddeport I find it a little too coincidental the rise of heavy duty atheism; this anti-Christianity thing along with radical islam. Same thing is happening in the US; the war on Christmas. btw I'm not a Christian but I do like Christmas. As I posted above, where islam goes, violence follows. Report and deport...yup.

[The2ndFaceOfDarknes]

@penthouse10 " Onward Christian Soldiers, Marching us to WAR "!!!!

Peace ;-)

[davidbarnstable]

@penthouse10 take your rascist poison elsewhere-zionist troll!

[penthouse10]

@davidbarnstable That's right...it's those wild and crazy Wiccans running around and blowing up innocent people all over the world and spreading the garbage of hate. Those damned Wiccans with their honour killings and amputations, suicide bombers, subjegation of women and practice of sharia. C'mon defend it...

[davidbarnstable]

@reportanddeport Is not the muslims doing the damage so go to hell you zionist troll

[N37BU6]

Whoever did this only reminded people what hatred looks like.

Kind of shot themselves in the foot...

[The2ndFaceOfDarknes]

@N37BU6 It may well have been the Church themselves !

They sell cuttings for 20quid a go !

They will be selling them flat out now !

With no shortage of them !

They will probably be making 20 to 60 odd Grand out this you know.

The Truth of Jah Love and Jah Light will sort the Bastards Out ;-)

Peace :-)

[Spawnomite]

It's about time they cut that eyesore down. The was NEVER meant to be on top of that hill and it was blocking the view for many in the area.

[incongra]

Why boasteth thyself Oh, evil men Playing smart And not being clever?I said, you're working iniquity To achieve vanity ;But the goodness of Jah, Jah I-dureth for-I-ver So if you are the big tree We are the small axe Ready to cut you down (well sharp) To cut you downThese are the words Of my master, keep on tellin' me No weak heart Shall prosper And whosoever diggeth a pit Shall fall in it, fall in it

[The2ndFaceOfDarknes]

@incongra Jah Love :-)

Live in the Light of TRUTH ;-)

Peace :-)

[The2ndFaceOfDarknes]

Incredible footage Tom !

Under the New Moon , even bigger changes yet to occur ;-)

It will grow back even stronger for it ! Esp if they paint the exposed ends with the right stuff :-)

Peace, Love and Light :-)

[penthouse10]

@The2ndFaceOfDarknes Light always triumphs over dark. LOVE over hate. May this tree grow up bigger and better...

[higuma75]

@penthouse10 No it doesn't. This is real life, not a fairy tale. Light gets its ass beaten. Love can be destroyed. Good doesn't always triumph. Good usually loses because Good is too fucking dumb.

[The2ndFaceOfDarknes]

@higuma75 maybe a big bang (2012 ?) will solve the problem.

Humanity needs some big changes soon that's for sure ;-)

Peace :-)

[The2ndFaceOfDarknes]

@penthouse10 the TRUTH is in Our HEARTS always :-)

Death is necessary for Rebirth ;-)

Peace :-)

[Type99KM]

It'll grow back, though much shorter an fuller ;-)

[sawbmadv]

sorry but why all the sadness over this tree please forgive my ignorance on this

[davidbarnstable]

Beautiful video Tom. I had some quite strange and wonderful experiences after sleeping under the thorn for an hour or so back in the late 80's.

[narcoleptus]

@davidbarnstable You'll have to tell me what they were now!

[PrivateHudson90]

@davidbarnstable I dont call masturbating under a tree wonderful but it's certainly strange.

[davidbarnstable]

@PrivateHudson90 nobody said anything about masturbating- obviously you have a sick mind like all the other trolls here. Take your shit elsewhere!

[davidbarnstable]

Respond to this video...  why have all the trolls and idiots dumped their poison here?