Oak & Ash & Thorn
Based in Voltaire’s Wood in the Cotswolds
What’s in a name?
A few years ago, we were all going around humming the song Oak & Ash & Thorn. Originally taken from a poem in a Kipling novel, it has been set to music and become an anthem for the lovers of woodlands and much played on the folk scene. A particularly fine version it is performed by Maddy Yarwood and Amy Cox, in a track for the Landworkers’ Alliance album ‘Stand Up Now’.
It speaks of three classic trees of English woodland and, not unlike Blake’s Jerusalem, ties England to a greater theme of the founding of civilisations - Aeneas, fleeing from Troy and his great grandson Brut who, according to Geoffrey of Monmouth, founded London.
But it also just has wonderful old lore about types of wood in the lyrics and a great melody.
When we came to choose a name, it brought a smile to the faces of all who knew the song and we hope it has the same effect on you.
The Tree Song by Rudyard Kipling
Of all the trees that grow so fair,
Old England to adorn,
Greater are none beneath the Sun,
Than Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs,
(All of a Midsummer morn!)
Surely we sing no little thing,
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn!
Oak of the Clay lived many a day,
Or ever AEneas began.
Ash of the Loam was a lady at home,
When Brut was an outlaw man.
Thorn of the Down saw New Troy Town
(From which was London born);
Witness hereby the ancientry
Of Oak, and Ash, and Thorn!
Yew that is old in churchyard-mould,
He breedeth a mighty bow.
Alder for shoes do wise men choose,
And beech for cups also.
But when ye have killed, and your bowl is spilled,
And your shoes are clean outworn,
Back ye must speed for all that ye need,
To Oak, and Ash, and Thorn!
Ellum she hateth mankind, and waiteth
Till every gust be laid,
To drop a limb on the head of him
That anyway trusts her shade:
But whether a lad be sober or sad,
Or mellow with ale from the horn,
He will take no wrong when he lieth along
'Neath Oak, and Ash, and Thorn!
Oh, do not tell the Priest our plight,
Or he would call it a sin;
But - we have been out in the woods all night,
A-conjuring Summer in!
And we bring you news by word of mouth-
Good news for cattle and corn-
Now is the Sun come up from the South,
With Oak, and Ash, and Thorn!
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs
(All of a Midsummer morn):
England shall bide till Judgment Tide,
By Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.Where are we?
We are based in Voltaire’s Wood near Minchinhampton in Stroud. It is 123 acres of semi-ancient natural woodland that is undergoing a restoration. It is named after the house dog, pictured.
The woods are a wonderful mixture of oak, cherry, hawthorn, sycamore, larch, spindle and lime, along with ash which sadly has the dieback disease which is now prevalent across the UK. It is also full of hazel and would once have been a major coppicing woods.
These woods seem to have been woods forever. They are named in the Domesday book and in transaction records of Henry VIII. And much work is being done to keep them thriving.
As part of the restoration, Voltaire’s Wood is removing some of ash from public areas, encouraging natural regeneration in the new gaps. It also has three coppices running - a traditional style of rotating hazel crops that does wonders for wildlife.
Oak & Ash & Thorn uses spaces within these woods over weekends for campfire gatherings and woodland experiences.
Want to come to the woods? Let’s talk.
A small party, a large gathering, a day in the woods, a night in woods? Want to come and learn some skills with us or have an idea for something?
Send over what you think you might like to do here and we will get back to you.