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.
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.
“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.
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.”
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,
Fiction Favorites 
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. 💗
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Thank you, Gwen. 😊
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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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Thank you for the lovely comments, Harmony. 😊
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Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for sharing, Michael.
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What a wonderful and very heart touching story. Thanks for sharing, John! Enjoy a beautiful weekend! xx Michael
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You as well, Michael. 😊
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Dear John
What an amazing story.
Now I know why I don’t want to have a Christmastree growing in my garden 😉
Keep well and happy
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Hahahaha. Thank you, Klausbernd. I’m glad too.
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And now, thanks to the story, pictures and you – their tree can bring smiles world-wide!!
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Thank you, GP. 😊
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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.
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Those are amazing trees, Craig. Thanks for sharing the story. 😊
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Oh my, John! What a fantabulous share! That is one HUUUUGE tree!
Beautiful haiku to go with. What a wonderful Friday surprise you have given us.
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And it was a Canadian story. Boom.
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Oh! I thought it was in England! Double Boom!
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It is England. I don’t know what I was thinking. 😳
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Bah… there are worse things 😉
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Yes there are. Thanks, Dale.
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🙂
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I love this story, John. And what a beautiful tree. It’s great to see a view of the whole neighborhood too. Thanks for sharing this!
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I thought so too, Barbara. Thank you.
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They are spirit doesn’t just light up a room, it lights up an entire village! And now perhaps the world.
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Thank you, Pamela. I know I was warmed by this story. 😁
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That’s a marvelous story! The tree is stunning. I think they’ve created a wonderful tradition for the village.
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I noticed no one else seems to even have a tree. 😁
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Right! I wouldn’t see a need since it can been seen by the whole village. 😀
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So true, Deborah. Good point.
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Wow! The tree is fabulous. Thank you for this festive and heartwarming post, John.
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, Jill. 😊
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What a beautiful tree! Such a heartwarming story. I love that the tree gets mail.
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I thought that was funny as well.
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And thank goodness no HOA gave them grief over having too many lights!
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I wonder if anyone complained?
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Wow–on so many levels!! Thank you for this, John!!!
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Thank you, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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Very cool, but I’m curious about something. How do you sleep in a house that’s so brightly lit? Wouldn’t the light get in through the windows too?
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Hahaha. I suppose it would.
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Great story for the season, John and a great Johnku. I hope you have a nice weekend.
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You as well, Dan. Thanks.
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That’s amazing and heartwarming. Thanks, John.
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So glad you liked it. Thanks for letting me know.
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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!
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Loved you r comment, Jan. Thank you.
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I love this story, John. I’ll be they never imagined the impact that little tree would have over forty years later.
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I know right? Great story.
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What a beautiful story, John, and that tree is incredible! How it has begun Christmas for others is quite moving.
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Thank you, Lauren. Touching indeed.
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I love the Good New Network, John 🙂 What a beautiful tree and story. Thank you!
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Thank you, Denise.
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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 🙂
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Thank you so much for the comment, Sue. 😁
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Lovely story. We planted some trees at our old house, watched them grow, then moved and planted more. Next year we hang some lights.
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Good for you. I’m glad your HOA doesn’t forbid lights.
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Lovely JohnKu.
If the spirit is growing as strong as the tree, there WILL be peace on earth!
Truly, a wonderful and inspiring story. Thank you!
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I believe that too, Resa. Thank you.
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Yes! The spirit is real. Now this is classy decorating – just a symbol of light, hope and peace. Thanks, John! May your magnolia tree do as well!
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Thank you for the nice words, Jo. 😁
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Wonderful story, dear John! The tree is amazing. It likes the place, for certain, 🙂 Thank you!
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You are so welcome.
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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.
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Yes it is. Thanks, Marc.
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Love the new Friday swing.
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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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I have never lived long enough in one place to see the trees mature. It must be a sight.
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Wonderful story!
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Thank you, Becky. 😁
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You’re welcome!
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I love that last photograph. It really shows off its size!
Merry Christmas, John! Don’t forget to guess and win a card!
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Thank you, Susie. I just left there. Merry Christmas to you and yours. 🎄
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Yay!! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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😊
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What an inspirational story. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you for the visit, Sandra.
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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?
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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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What a fabulous story. I doubt they considered this kind of impact many years later. For me, your choice for the last picture shows the impact. Great find and thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Frank. 😁
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This really is a lovely post, John. It’s so nice to see people spreading joy and Christmas spirit like this.
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Thank you, Robbie. 😁
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What a beautiful story (and tree), John! I am loving these happy tales! Keep ‘em coming…so nice to have good news for a change.😍👍
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I’m so glad, Lori
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God bless the Rowlands!
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They are a pair for sure. 😁
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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. 🙂
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I agree. I was taken by the story as well. Thanks for the visit, Betsey. 😊
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A pleasure, my good sir.
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😊
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Nice! 💗
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Thank you. 😊
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Oh, you are very welcome! 🙏👍💗📖📙
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I like the spirit of the tree’s owners, that is really something. Love the poem too, John. 🙂
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Thank you, Mark 😊
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Really nice story, John. Love the aerial view.
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It was a good one.
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Yes!
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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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I think that would be a good idea, Jelena. Thank you for the visit and sharing your experience. Best wishes to you. 😁
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Müstakil ev apartman dairesinden iyi oluyor
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Bence haklısın. Teşekkürler
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