Avril and Christopher Rowlands had a memorable experience when they brought home their very first Christmas tree atop their Mini Cooper. Little did they know the significant impact it would have later on.
It was 1979, and the now-retired couple had snagged the £6 fir to plant in the front yard of their new Inkberrow, Worcestershire house.
Now, 46 years on, that same tree stands 50ft tall, is a tourist attraction, and has raised a massive £25,000 for charity.
Since 2004 Avril and Christopher, with the help of a cherry picker, have decorated the tree with thousands of festive lights.
The couple, who are both in and nearing their 80s, then switch the festive lights on every December.
The lit tree stands as the only illumination in Inkberrow – which is one of Britain’s darkest villages on account of there being no street lighting.
Over the years they have raised more than £25,000 for several charities, including the British Heart Foundation and Alzheimer’s Research UK.
In 2022 they raised £3,000 for Worcester Food Bank and this year they hope to raise thousands in donations for the Midlands Air Ambulance.
This year, the Rowlands’ tree shines with thousands of sparkling lights, making it the biggest source of light in one of the UK’s dimmest villages due to the absence of street lights.
How the Christmas tree looked when it was first planted in 1978 (left) and how it looked with crowds of visitors in 2022 (right)
Christopher and Avril Rowlands, pictured this year, looked back on the day the bought the tiny fir with a smile
Despite the soaring energy prices, the couple was determined not to call off the customary lighting ceremony. Approximately 2,000 individuals gathered to witness the tree being illuminated for the first time this holiday season on a Saturday night.
The couple ask for people who admire the lights to make a donation and over the years they have raised thousands of pounds for charity.
Retired TV writer Avril, 79, said: ‘It’s a remarkable to think we bought the tree as a sapling really in 1978 and planted it outside after New Year’s Day 1979.
‘We had no idea it would grow so tall but we’re delighted it has. Every year people say the tree switch-on marks the start of Christmas.’
The Inkberrow tree has now even been named as a local landmark on Google and has attracted a string of five-star reviews.
To help pay for the electricity bill, the couple contacted their energy supplier who agreed to contribute £100 to their bill for Christmas.
The couple will switch the lights on every night from 4.30pm to 9.30pm – and will do so until January 6.
Avril admitted that maintaining the tree was increasingly challenging due to its sheer size.
Avril and Christopher Rowlands (pictured in 2023) paid £6 for the fir which they put in the front garden of their new home in the village of Inkberrow, Worcs, 46 years ago
The fir, pictured here in 2022, has become one of the biggest landmarks in the village and even stars in a a new children’s book, written by Mrs Rowlands
The Rowland’s tree in the snow in 2010 – over the years it has steadily grown and now towers their four-bedroom detached property
The couple celebrated 40 years of having the tree in their garden in 2018
The couple, pictured here in 2019, ask for people who admire the lights to make a donation and over the years they have raised thousands of pounds for charity
Even though the price of energy has skyrocketed in recent times, the couple still have their lights switched on for two hours each night, as they did here in 2019
Avril Rowlands standing outside her house with the tree in 1989 – this year the couple are raising money for a local charity which provides a foodbank for people struggling and shelter for the homeless
She said: ‘The tree did have a disease a year ago but we had the lower branches pruned and wooden posts installed to support it and it’s never looked better.
‘Obviously, Chris and I are getting on, I’m 80 next year, but we’ve got no plans to stop the Christmas switch on.
‘The tree’s roots are probably growing under the house but so far we’ve not had any problems.
‘We wouldn’t know what to do if we couldn’t do this switch on every year. It’s become a tradition in the village and beyond which is wonderful.’
The fir has been decorated so much over the years. In 2022, it boasted more than 3,000 twinkling lights – acting as the largest illumination in one of the UK’s darkest villages on account of there being no street lights.
The tree has become one of the biggest landmarks in the village and even stars in a new children’s book, written by Avril.
She last year recalled: ‘It’s amazing to think that when we first bought the tree in 1978 we brought it home on the roof of my Mini.
‘We decided to plant the tree outside our window to mark our first Christmas in our new home.
‘Since then the tree has just shot up and is now an unofficial landmark in the village.
‘We love doing the Christmas lights. The tree can be seen from miles around on clear nights and people flock to see it.
‘It’s become something of a tradition for people in the village and beyond.
‘It even inspired me to write a children’s book about the tree called The Laxford House Christmas Tree.
‘It’s gone wild in the village. With the sale of the book, the tree has spanned generations in the village.’
