This is Jack And The Beanstalk’s family Christmas tree.
It grew and grew after Christopher Rowlands and Avril planted it in their front yard.
The 6ft fir they bought in 1978 is now 60ft – so tall they have to use a cherry picker to decorate it each year.
The couple paid £6 at a garden centre for the indoor tree as they celebrated their first Christmas at their new home in Inkberrow, Worcestershire.
The 6ft fir Avril and Christopher Rowlands bought in 1978 is now 60ft – so tall they have to use a cherry picker to decorate it each year (pictured)
Pictured is the tree at its first planting in Inkberrow (Worcestershire).
Its 3,000 light bulbs can still be seen from miles away, now 43 years later. On Saturday, most of the 2,000 inhabitants of the village – said to be the inspiration for Ambridge in The Archers on Radio 4 – turned out to see the switching on of the lights to raise money for charity.
Mrs Rowlands is a 75-year-old retired TV writer who said, “We moved from London to this village in 1978. After Christmas, we decided not to throw it out. Instead we put the tree in the garden.
“We did not know just how huge it would grow.” It towers over my house now, and it’s huge. Mrs Rowlands, the wife of a former BBC editor, stated that Inkberrow is the only village in the UK without street lights. This makes it quite spectacular when the tree gets lit up. The village has made it a tradition to turn on the lights.
“A lot of villager’s believe that this is the beginning of Christmas. Because of Covid restrictions, we were forced to make the switch ourselves and then post photos to Facebook.
“It was wonderful to watch so many people enjoying the lights this holiday season. Also, we had Christmas music and fireworks. The lights were turned on and people have been asked to make a donation to Cancer Research.
On Saturday, most of the 2,000 inhabitants of the village – said to be the inspiration for Ambridge in The Archers on Radio 4 – turned out to see the switching on of the lights to raise money for charity. Pictuered. The couple stands with their tree.