Hi Dave
What the others said!
Yew is one of the nicest woods to turn as it cuts and finishes beautifully so it's down to your tools and techniques IMO so don't give up just yet. I see you are in Teeside and suggest it might be worth investing in one of
Neil Lawsons workshops in York, I guarantee he'll sort it out for you and a really nice fella
(if you ignore the long hair that is ). He's a longstanding member on here but I can pass on his details if you can't find them.
Or if you're ever in Northumberland north of Morpeth give me a shout and I can give you some tips, I have plenty of yew.