... After deciding to climb a tree, they stumbled across the remains of a woman inside the hollow wych elm… Despite the English elm's name, wych elm is the only elm that is regarded as being truly native to the UK. Reaching into the hollowed out tree he caught sight of something white in colour. She was never seen again. The elm was also considered the tree of justice in France; under the branches of this tree, the judges received inspiration for their sentences. In April of 1943, in the town of Worcestershire, England, four boys stumbled across the skeletal remains of a deceased woman that had been shoved into a cavity of a large wych elm. The teenager was horrified when he realised it was a human skull. The Festive Season is a time for spooky stories, this one has it all; murder, It is hardier than the English elm, so is found much further north and west, and in parts of Scotland. The free monthly guide to live music and events across Bristol’s most influential, independent venues. In 1944 the case took a new twist. A SMALL boy stood beside a large, overhanging tree in a Hertfordshire garden in the 1880s. I doubt very much if the ghost of ‘Bella’ walks the A456, but something is certainly being seen by motorists as they drive to their destinations. CLick Here to Buy Some saw significance in the body being in a Wych Elm tree too. In Gaelic it is known as ‘leven’, as in Loch Leven in Kinross, and was valued for its roles in the dyeing of wool. They are interesting to your readers, but you will never solve the mystery. McCORMICK, Donald, 1969, Murder by Witchcraft, Arrow Books This was later corrupted to “witch” but possibly because so many magical properties were also attributed to it. Another theory that has become popular to explain the mystery involves wartime espionage. The main theme of Simon Holt’s ‘Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm?’ opera is the ghost of Bella returning from the beyond to tell her story. This was the first time that a name had been given to the grisly remains. As happens with cases where the victim is unknown a name becomes attached to their remains. 18/12/2020. In Scotland the stick used to play shinty, called a caman, can be made from a variety of woods, with elm being a popular choice as it often has a natural bend already in the wood. What the police discovered inside the trunk of the Wych Elm, buried beneath the skull, was the almost complete skeleton of a woman. Any hope of uncovering the woman’s identity through her clothing were soon dashed. Free novels exploring Black Country folklore offered to museum fans. and why? Wych elm once covered large parts of the UK. The skull was still there, together with a bone sticking out of a hole in the tree. The local amateur dramatics society – Stourbridge Theatre Company – marked their 75th anniversary with a specially commissioned play about the murder. They have the characteristic asymmetrical base that other elms have, and taper to a sudden point at the top. With the search for human remains over, the job of forensic investigation began. Una claimed that Jack had died in 1942 in a mental hospital in Stafford. It certainly isn’t part of witchcraft practice (or the folklore associated with it). This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Despite the English elm's name, wych elm is the only elm that is regarded as being truly native to the UK. Shocked and upset by their discovery, not to mention fearing getting into trouble for trespassing in Hagley Wood, the boys agreed to keep their discovery a secret. ENGLISH WYCH ELM WOOD. Flowers. SC143304, with registered offices at The Park, Findhorn Bay, Forres, Moray, IV36 3TH. “Because of its rich foliage and sap, the Elm is sacred to Saturn, Roman god of agriculture. 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