When George Oldroyd’s grandfather showed him the tiny, sparse Christmas tree he was underwhelmed.
The 2ft fake fir – one of the first – was bent out of shape and the green feathers that represented the needles were sparse.
The ceramic berries were flecked with peeling red paint showing glimmers of their former glory, and the candle holders were empty.
George, 27, says: “It was shabby-looking with branches hanging off and we were like, ‘What on Earth is that?!’”
Although it did not look much to the project manager, of Ossett, West Yorks, it meant a lot to his grandad Keith, 81.
The tree has been in the family for more than 100 years which is why they contacted the Repair Shop, hosted by Jay Blades, for the festive edition of the BBC1 show.
It was bought by Keith’s grandmother - George’s great, great grandmother - for his mother’s second Christmas in 1920.
“They would sing Christmas carols round the tree,” explains Keith. “Now my mother would do that in 1920, I did it in 1941 as a toddler looking at this beautiful tree with the candles lit.”
They sang carols around the tree like Keith did as a tot along with two “brothers” who were actually evacuees.
The tree was also a beacon of hope for the family during both world wars.
“My grandad was in the First World War, when he came home that would light up his Christmas. Four years in the trenches, come home and he’d see that,” says Keith.
“My father was a prisoner of war with the Japanese for three and a half years and when he came home in Christmas 1945 this would light his Christmas.”
When Keith sees the tree restored by Steve Fletcher and Kristen Ramsay he says: “That’s how I remember it. It really is a work of art.”
The tree is back home and has already been enjoyed by Keith’s four great grandchildren, aged between four and seven, and will hopefully be a Christmas memory for their great grandchildren to come.
- The Repair Shop, 8pm.
