Project Timescape

At the South East end of Castle Hill you will find the Poem Tree.

The poem tree itself died in the early 1990's and although some of the trunk is still standing, the words are now difficult to read.

Fortunately, Dr. Henry Osmaston took an accurate tracing of the poem in 1965, when it was much more legible. It is apparent that the letters have become stretched and distorted by the irregular growth of tree trunk over the years. In 1994 a plaque reproducing the Osmaston tracing, located close to the tree, was unveiled to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the poem.

Joseph Tubb's poem inscribed on the Poem Tree

As up the hill with labr'ing steps we tread
Where the twin Clumps their sheltering branches spread
The summit's gain'd at ease reclining lay
and all around the wide spread scene survey
Point out each object and instructive tell
The various changes that the land befel.

Where the low bank the country wide surrounds
That ancient earthwork form'd old Murcias bounds.
In misty distance see the barrow heave
there lies forgotten lonely Culchelms grave.
Around this hill the ruthless Danes intrenched
and these fair plains with gory slaughter drench'd

While at our feet where stands that stately tower
In days gone by uprose the Roman power
And yonder, there where Thames smooth waters glide
In later days appeared monastic pride.
Within that field where lies the grazing herd
Huge wall were found, some coffins disinter'd

Such is the course of time, the wreck which fate
And awful doom award the earthly great