In 1979, Avril and Christopher Rowlands planted a humble £6 fir tree to celebrate their first Christmas in their new home. Over four decades later, that modest sapling has transformed into a spectacular fir towering more than 50 feet high and now serves as a cherished local landmark in Inkberrow, Worcestershire.
The couple used a cherry picker from 2004 onwards to adorn the massive tree with thousands of festive lights, lighting it up every December as a highlight of the community’s holiday celebrations. Though Christopher passed away from emphysema in March, Avril, now 80, is determined to keep their Christmas tradition alive. This year, she is decorating the tree with thousands of LED lights donated by a local company, replacing the previous tungsten bulbs that were damaged by strong winds last year.
At the weekend event, around 2,000 visitors gathered to witness the tree’s annual illumination — the only source of festive light in a village known for having no street lighting. The fir has even earned a spot as a local landmark on Google, attracting glowing five-star reviews.
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Avril, a retired TV writer, warmly reflects: “People say that seeing the tree switched on is the start of their Christmas, which is just lovely. We never imagined when we planted that little tree nearly 50 years ago that it would still be bringing joy today.”
Over the years, the Rowlands have raised more than £25,000 for various charities through donations from visitors who come to admire the tree. This year, Avril hopes to raise hundreds of pounds for Asthma and Lung UK in memory of Christopher.