Lighting up the village... 52ft tree couple planted as a sapling in 1978
LET IT grow... a sapling planted 40 years ago has grown into a mighty 52ft Christmas tree, which can be seen for up to a mile away when it is lit up.
Hundreds of people gathered to watch the switch on of the 1,100 festive lights adorning the magnificent tree at the weekend.
The fir belongs to Avril and Christopher Rowlands, who bought it as a 6ft sapling in 1978 to celebrate their first Christmas in their new home in Inkberrow, Worcestershire.
They had got it home from the garden centre by strapping it to the roof rack of their old Mini.
The tree was initially displayed in their living room and decorated with a single set of six lights and Christmas baubles.
But once the festivities were over they planted it out in their front garden. Since then, the tree has not stopped growing and now towers over their four-bedroom detached home.
It is so big that in order to decorate the Norway Spruce with festive lights, the couple need to hire a cherry picker to hang them on the giant branches.
Inkberrow, believed to be the model for Ambridge in BBC Radio 4’s The Archers, is one of the few villages in the country which doesn’t have any street lights, which means the tree can be seen from a mile away at night when it is lit up.
Retired television writer Avril, 73, said: “The switch on event has become an absolute institution for the village and we have hundreds of people see the tree. We’ve even had tourists coming from as far as China to have their pictures taken by it.
“It is amazing to think the tree started as a 6ft tall sapling which we bought for just £6.
“I remember after that first Christmas thinking to myself that I didn’t want to throw the tree out so I planted it in the front garden.
“It took straight away and every year it’s grown taller and taller. It now takes 1,100 bulbs to light the tree. I don’t look at the electricity bill until after Christmas.”
Avril said she prefers to use old-fashioned incandescent bulbs rather than brighter LED lights as they give the tree a nostalgic “almost magical” effect.
The annual switch on of the Christmas lights, which began in 2009, has raised thousands of pounds for charity. It has developed into a much-anticipated tradition with a fairground organ playing festive music, Christmas carols, fireworks and mince pies.
Retired BBC editor Christopher, 74, said: “A lot of people in the village say that it’s the start of their Christmas.
“We usually raise about £1,000 a year for charity, a different one each year. This year all the money is going to the Midlands Air Ambulance.
“Over the last 14 years we’ve raised over £10,000. We’re delighted the tree has spread so much happiness and raised so much money.
“We expect it’ll be for many years to come.”
A spokesman for the Forestry Commission said: “This is a remarkable tree which has obviously been taken care of.
“Pine trees can grow to huge heights so time will only tell if this one grows any larger.”