We've been walking the lower parts of the Peaks recently, but some interesting stuff round and about. This rather funky wish tree was in Upper Padley Gorge
Seen a tomb from 1835 but I'm sure there are headstones older than that. Edit, A quick google says the churches date from the 13th to 17th century.
First things first, I don't know if you've expanded the pic out at all and spotted that the "spines" along the tree are coins. The theory went that offering a small token of tribute might get a prayer answered, or a wish granted. Commonly used in the hope of relief from medical ailments. So people would drive a small value coin into the tree and make their request, or wish. Nowadays of course people just do it for a bit of fun, but that'a what a wish tree is
Thanks! What a wonderful thing. How does a tree become a wish tree? Do people bring their own hammer-type tools to add a coin?
I had two trees that became wish trees, a Damson and a Willow. I just wished they weren't there anymore as the Damson never produced fruit and the Willow just grew all over the place. Happily they are now gone.
I have seen something similar to this here, but instead of hammering in a coin, people tie a small fabric bow on to a branch. It's probably an old pagan tradition. Hawthorn is the favoured tree.There's an old ruined abbey at a place called St.Cooeys Well on the west side of Strangford Lough where this is still done, though I've also seen it at the Devil's Ring fort near Lisburn. Maybe it's instead of a prayer.
I see loads of the ribbons tied to trees thing round these parts. Especially up round the coast, Murlough bay and Ardclinis Church near Glenariff to name a few. Where abouts are you? Near Dundrod myself.
My son got us tickets to visit the Sagrada Familia and I wasn't all that thrilled. How wrong can you be? Fantastic place, if any of you find yourself in Barcelona, try to go. Stunning.
