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About Cross Tree PressCross Tree Press was set up by Ian and Sophie Mortimer in 2013 to publish a personal selection of Ian's creative work - in prose, poetry and music. The first publication was a volume of poems and songs, Flickering Antiquity. Since then, several keynote addresses (published as ebooks) and an exhibition catalogue with an introduction by Ian have followed, as well as two CDs. The Cross Tree itself was an ancient elm that used to stand near the almshouses in Moretonhampstead. At its base was the medieval market cross of the town. In the early nineteenth century people would climb up a ladder in the adjacent garden and dance in the clearing in the boughs of the tree. On other occasions musicians would play by candlelight among the leaves. It was the best-known of all the 'Dancing Trees' of Devon. Sadly it was struck by lightning in 1893. Its stump was finally carted away in 1906. Further information can be found on the website of Moretonhampstead History Society. |