Avril and Christopher Rowlands planted a tree in their front garden in 1978 after bringing it home on the roof rack of their white Mini. Now, the £6 tree is a 50ft high local landmark in their village of Inkberrow, Worcestershire, towering over the house and decorated with 1,100 lights using a cherrypicker each festive season.
Amid a global climate crisis, eyewatering energy bills, and concerns about power outages caused by Russia’s decision to throttle supplies of gas to Europe, there is a question about whether these ostentatious, power-munching displays are still in keeping with the national mood. But the Rowlands are just one of the country’s small army of Christmas lights enthusiasts determined dig deep to switch on their displays as usual this year.
