Davey Tree Flipbooks

31 November/December 2023 | THE DAVEY BULLETIN FROM THE ARCHIVES A visit to the ancient Ashbrittle Yew tree The Sweets suggested Donovan and family visit the ancient Yew tree in the neighboring village of Ashbrittle, noting the tree would have been alive when John Davey lived there. "We visited the Ashbrittle Yew tree. There is a sign in front of the tree which says it is reputed to be more than 3,000 years old, was mature when Stonehenge was in use, and is one of the oldest living things in Britain," Donovan said. Scan the QR code to watch video footage of the ancient Ashbrittle Yew tree, captured during Donovan's visit. Davey founder John Davey was born June 6, 1846, in Stawley, England. John's father, Samuel Davey, acted as farm administrator for William Sweet, who owned several thousand acres. John and his family lived in a home on the farmland, owned by the Sweets, and were caretakers of the land. This is where John learned how to run and manage a farm, and where he developed a great appreciation for plants and trees. Bulletin contributing writer, Steph Donovan, senior project manager, corporate communications, was planning a trip to visit family in England and wondered if it would be possible to visit John Davey's birthplace home. "In the opening pages of the Davey history book, 'Green Leaves,' there is a photo of John Davey's birthplace home. The caption information of the photo indicated the location, Right: Nigel Sweet is pictured next to John Davey's son, Paul, in front of John Davey's birthplace home. Nigel was the great grandson of William Sweet, owner of the estate of several thousand acres, for whom John Davey's father, Samuel Davey acted as superintendent in the mid-1800s. This photo appears in the opening pages of the history of the 1977 Davey Tree Expert Company book, "Green Leaves." but I was unable to determine if the address I had was correct when searching an online map. I contacted the local historical society, and confirmed I had the right address," Donovan said. With no contact information other than the home's address, Donovan wrote a letter to "Resident at," and mailed it, an explaining who she was along with a brief history of Davey. "I was pleasantly surprised to receive a text from homeowner, Pat Sweet, welcoming me to visit," Donovan said. "Several weeks later, when I arrived at the Sweet's home with my family, Pat and her husband David invited us in for lunch. David inherited the home from his Uncle Nigel in the 1990s. Nigel was the great-grandson of the original estate owner, William Sweet. It's amazing the home is still in the Sweet family 177 years after John lived there." JOHN DAVEY'S BIRTHPLACE HOME STILL IN THE SWEET FAMILY Left: David Sweet is pictured holding a copy of the Bulletin, and his wife, Pat, is pictured holding a copy of Green Leaves, in front of their home, which is John Davey's birthplace home, "Winkleigh." David stands where his Uncle Nigel stood, pictured in the opening pages of Green Leaves, next to John Davey's son, Paul. Above: Gate to enter "Winkleigh."

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