[aeshna5]

It is Cherry Laurel, Prunus laurocerasus- though it is in the same genus as Cherry, so you weren't that far out, though this shrub so beloved of Victorian gardeners is an evergreen, unlike the proper cherries- but don't eat it!

Entomologists have used the young crushed leaves as a killing agent as it contains cyanide compounds (prussic acid) for many years (probably not so many use it now).