An electrician who has been lighting up Bournvilles iconic Christmas for 49 years is set to retire. Geoff Davis, aged 65, who works for Bournville Village Trust, has decorated the tree on the Village Green with 650 beautiful coloured bulbs for the last time after 49 years. The grandfather-of-two first started to adorn the Christmas tree, thought to be the largest in the Midlands, for Bournville Trust in 1965 when he worked as an electrician for local firm Harry Ward Limited. Geoff continued to decorate the Atlas Cedar tree, including placing a 55-year-old star at the top of it, each year – only missing a couple of occasions due to ill health and a short change of job. In 2007, Geoff began working directly for Bournville Village Trust’s PropertyCare Services where he continued the tradition of lighting up the tree, enjoyed by thousands of local people. Geoff, who is married, has two daughters and lives in Selly Oak with his wife Carol, said: “At 16 years old, I never imagined that I’d still be hanging up the lights. “It takes a team of eight of us nearly a whole day to do and you have to have a head for heights as the crane we use is one of the tallest in Europe. The weather can be a problem too and we’ve faced all sorts, including fog and snow, but it’s well worth it when you hear how much it means to people. One man who was driving past it to visit his parents in the hospital told me that every time he saw the lights they would cheer him up, it’s very special.” Geoff was joined by hundreds of residents and visitors from across Birmingham to witnesses his last light-switch on in charge on Tuesday (02/12) evening. Steve Fellows, Head of Asset Management at Bournville Village Trust, said: “As well as decorating the Christmas tree, Geoff also hangs lights at the Trust’s nursing home, retirement scheme and the shops on the Village Green, bringing joy to thousands of people. He really is the man who lights up Bournville and although he will be sadly missed when he retires next year, we have an excellent team of electricians and apprentices who will carry on the much-loved tradition.” The Christmas tree was planted in 1948 to commemorate the 90th birthday of Dame Elizabeth Cadbury, wife of George Cadbury who founded Bournville Village Trust in 1900. (Video: Martin Chadderton/Photo: Julie Tabberer)
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 20:02:48 +0000
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