Friday – JohnKu – AKA – TGIF Fri-Yay Good News

~ John W. Howell
Photo courtesy of SWNS

Here is a story from the Good News Network. Retired couple Avril Rowlands, 75, and her husband Christopher, 76, from Inkberrow, Worcestershire, have decorated their giant Christmas tree, which they planted as a sapling more than 40 years ago. This vast 60ft Christmas tree lights up an entire neighborhood over 40 years after being planted as a sapling. Avril Rowlands and her husband Christopher stuck the 6ft fir in their front garden after enjoying their first Christmas at their new home in 1978. The tree purchased for £6 from a local garden center now towers above their four-bedroom detached property, and the couple hired a cherry picker to decorate it with more than 1,000 lights.

Photo courtesy of SWNS

They planted the 6-foot tree in the front garden and took a photograph to commemorate the occasion.

The tree took root and thrived.

Today it towers, 43 years later, over the village of Inkberrow, Worcs.

With its 17th-century pub that inspired The Bull in Radio 4’s The Archers, the village is one of the darkest places in the UK as one of the only towns without any street lights.

The Little Tree That Could, 1979 – SWNS

But last week, its 2,000 residents turned out to see the switching-on ceremony, which lit up the giant tree that can be seen from miles around.

SWNS

“The switching on of the lights has become quite a village tradition,” said Avril. “A lot of people in the village say that it’s the start of their Christmas.”

This year was quite remarkable because last year, the Rowlands had to do the switch-on by themselves due to Covid restrictions.

“We had fireworks, too, this year, plus a friend who brought down a trailer that had Christmas music on.”

The tree has grown so big that a cherry picker is needed to help the couple decorate it with 3,000 lights ahead of the big unveiling.

“It’s been wonderful to see so many people enjoy the lights this year,” said the 75-year-old retired TV writer.

The Rolands – SWNS

And, since the tree is getting more and more attention, they decided to ask people to donate to a Cancer Research charity online in memory of a close friend who died this year.

The couple says they are still stunned by the size of the tree, which grows more than a foot each year: “We had no idea just how big it would grow. It’s absolutely huge now and towers over our house.”

Drone aerial view of the giant Christmas tree in 2019 –SWNS

Avril swooned, “We even get cards addressed to the tree, which is quite sweet.” Good news indeed

Today’s JohnKu talks about the holiday spirit. I hope you all have a terrific week.

The Holiday by John W. Howell © 2021

Is the spirit real?

It seems to be growing strong . . .

Could be peace on Earth,

 

102 thoughts on “Friday – JohnKu – AKA – TGIF Fri-Yay Good News”

  1. Such a sweet story! We often don’t realize how the slightest kind gesture or simple dream can result in another’s hope. Beautiful reflection, John. Thank you. 💗

    Liked by 2 people

  2. That tree is amazing. We’re in the dark here, too, with no street lights, but we’re in more of a hamlet rather than a town. I love it on full moon nights as you get the full effect of nature. Love the Haiku, John. Here’s hoping for peace on Earth … soon? 🌏🤞 . Lovely post. Thanks for sharing 💕🙂🎄

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  7. We had a similar blue spruce when I was a kid. It came in a one gallon container and I planted it for my mother. Years later it pushed the fence over as it got wider and is still alive if I were to drive by the old house.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. What an amazing story, John. The tree is stunning and I love that the couple continued the tradition even with COVID restrictions last year. What a blessing for this little village. Great JohnKu! Thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Oh Wow John… Such a beautiful Legacy for the whole village.. So wonderful to see the tree as a sapling and 40 years later… I bet that tree can tell a few tales….. Great overhead view, showing just how large the tree is…
    And to think this lovely couple still giving the whole village a huge treat every Christmas…. What a celebration.
    Great advertisement for our English Village life… Oh and I have listened to a few episodes in my day of the Archers.. Lol 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  28. What a perfect Christmas story, John. I was looking at the photograph from 1978 and I thought to myself, “Did they take some of the house away for this tree to keep fitting?” LOL. But seriously, that’s amazing that the town has come to love this tradition. So beautiful.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. What a fabulous story! We’ve lived in the same house for 26 years, and it is remarkable to watch the history of the trees that we put into the ground.

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  33. Image the reaction of thr fairy, though, being persuaded to climb up there and sit in a flight path for a month. A bit bloody cold. Maybe it’s a different one each year, an agency fairy rather than one on the payroll. Probably difficult to find a willing fairy these days. Do you think they are paid well?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think the fairy is a conscript from the Santa Helpers League. Of course, the choice is from the list of those who have been classified as surplus since that duty is listed as the Final Assignment.

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  38. This is such a lovely, lovely story, John. The work involved to string lights (and the expense) around that giant tree…. What joy they provide. And Christmas cards addressed to the tree?! Love it. Whoever lives in that house in the future had better keep up the tradition. That should be stipulated in the sale. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  42. This is so sweet! Every year, my husband’s family plants their Christmas tree in the frontyard. The largest one is now towering twice as high as our house. But we never decorated them – this story makes me think we should 😊

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