History

Humber Woodland of Remembrance sits in an ancient landscape, being a little over half a mile (as the crow flies) north-west of the iron-age hill fort, Risbury Camp. This is one of the best-preserved hill-forts and is further notable because it is a lowland camp. It is certainly a beautiful place with a wonderful peaceful atmosphere and is regularly grazed by the Thomas family’s pedigree Hereford cattle and, in spring by our flock of ewes and lambs. Primroses and bluebells grow there in spring, and in autumn, cider-fruit is gathered from the one hundred year old cider orchard in the centre of the camp. At Christmas, we can pick mistletoe, holly and old man’s beard.

Humber was also known to the Romans, whose road passes along the western boundary of Humber Woodland of Remembrance. There is a significant Roman site just to the north, at Blackwardine, where the Victorians found pottery, whilst building the railway (now gone, thanks to Dr Beeching – more history!)

Legend has it that Alfred Watkins, author of ‘The old Straight Track’, was passing Blackwardine when he was struck with his ideas about Ley Lines in 1921.

Humber, Risbury and Stoke Prior are all mentioned in the Doomesday Book as being part of the Leominster Manor. Until recent local government re-organisation, these villages remained under the jurisdiction of Leominster District Council!

A little to the east of Humber Woodland of Remembrance is St Mary’s Church, which dates back to Norman times and contains a beautiful but simple twelfth century Font. It sits in its own hamlet, tucked away on a mound, with only the shingle spire visible from the Roman road. St Mary’s Church is available for funeral services and the clergy are willing to take services, if required.

St Mary's Church, Humber

The footpath, which passes through the Woodland of Remembrance on its way to the village of Risbury, is evidence of constant use by local people going about their daily business over centuries.

Those of us, who live here, consider ourselves fortunate to live is such a beautiful and inspiring place, where there seems to have been a fairly peaceful existence over more than two thousand years. We believe it to be the perfect resting place.