Woolworths Christmas tree bought 73 years ago is still going strong for Sway woman

THE star of a Sway woman’s festive celebrations will be the Christmas tree which has been in her family for 73 years.

Chrissy Gough’s 4ft artificial tree was bought from Woolworths in 1951 by her dad Dennis Bradley. He did not have time to buy a real one as his wife was in hospital having Chrissy.

It is still going strong nearly three quarters of a century later – complete with the original baubles with which her dad decorated it.

“It has lost a few branches along the way but it is actually in remarkably good condition,” said Chrissy.

“It is so very special to me. The baubles are apparently now quite valuable but I could never sell them.

“I still have the original box and everything.

“Every year the tree goes up in our lounge. It brings back so many happy memories.

“You could offer me a fortune for it and I would never part with it.”

Chrissy’s mum Margaret had to spend Christmas in hospital after giving birth to her on 22nd December.

She said: “Normally we had a real tree. But dad was left at home on his own looking after my older brother.

“He was in a bit of a panic and just went to Woolworths in St Albans, where we lived, to get what he could.”

Dennis and Margaret would put the tree up every year until he gifted it to his daughter on her 50th birthday.

Chrissy said: “It has taken pride of place in my home at Christmas ever since.”

Margaret died in 2010, and her dad Dennis passed away three years ago at the age of 95.

For the last three years Chrissy, who retired to Sway with husband Barry in 1999, has exhibited her tree as part of St Luke’s Church’s Christmas Tree Festival.

It especially brings pleasure to residents of Sway Place Care Home, with staff saying it brings back “lovely memories for them”.