Two shillings and it survived the Blitz: UK’s oldest Christmas tree back on display for its 100th year — and as ‘underwhelming’ as ever
'No wonder it looks a bit battered, because it's had a right life’
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Your support makes all the difference.It is a Christmas tree that cost two shillings, is held together by sticky tape and is, according to its own owner, “absolutely underwhelming”.
But, even so, tis a reason to be jolly: this is thought to be Britain’s oldest festive fir — and it is now celebrating its 100th year on display.
Kay Ashton’s grandmother bought the artificial two-foot spruce — a description which may, these days, be generous — back in 1920, and it has been put up by the Sheffield family every December since.
It survived being hit by shrapnel during the city’s Blitz in 1940 and has outlived the store where it was first purchased: Woolworths.
“It is still absolutely underwhelming,” says Ashton. "I think my nan would be absolutely flabbergasted because my mother was renowned for throwing stuff in the bin. My mum threw my dad's medals away from World War Two. She wasn't a hoarder.”
Getting it out every December has become a running joke, the grandmother-of-three says.
"Even my sister says, 'have you got that twig out yet?' and I go, 'yep'. She asks 'does it look any better?' and I go 'nope'," she told the BBC.
"People expect me to say it was a cherished thing, but it wasn't. My mother used to chuck it in the box with the bells still on and put it in the shed. It's one of the reasons why I can't believe it's still here. No wonder it looks a bit battered, because it's had a right life.”
The long-lasting tree has now brightened up eight different homes as it has been passed down three generations.
Yet, perhaps like all the most treasured family heirlooms, it is touched by tragedy as well as joy.
When Ashton’s grandmother Elizabeth Naylor first bought it, it was named Willim’s Tree after her youngest son who had been born that year.
But the decoration — which retains the nickname — would, it turned out, outlive William himself. He died, aged just 19, in 1940
"I think my Nanan would be really touched to know the tree is still going strong and being used — and so would William,” Ashton said previously. “I can't imagine it not being around."
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