
Last week the Castle Christmas tree arrived much to everyone’s excitement as we decide this year we would bravely increase the size from 14ft to 20ft, when it arrived on our bright red tractor (looking very much like Santa’s sleigh) I thought I may have made a mistake, this was confirmed by the look on Diana, our housekeeper’s face – she clearly thought I was mad and it was far too big!
With the promise of fresh mince pies, lots of volunteers (over 15) came to help get the tree in (easy bit) and then up (tricky bit). I began to feel nervous and worried but grateful that my husband was not there to see it all go wrong as I would surely have ended up out of favour. Luckily it didn’t go wrong as David our new carpenter had made a proper tree base made with strong thick angled struts rather than our normal rather Heath Robinson affair.
It was a rather wonderful team effort getting the tree in and up with help from the farm, gardeners, the office, housekeepers and other staff. Putting up a Christmas tree in any home is very much a family / team effort so having the Highclere Castle staff help, reminded me of the wonderful team we have here, so with the tree up and decorated with twinkling lights and glass baubles balanced slightly precariously on the top the tree, we are now feeling very festive and I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone who is part of the Highclere Castle family for a successful 2013 and a very merry Christmas!
Would love to see the finished product!
Would love to see a picture in all its glory.
I am traditional and do not like blue or flashing lights. It should reflect the candles of old so only white lights with other colours comming from the decorations. However I am sure it will lookgod when finnished.
Look good of course.
Happy Christmas to you Lady C, your family and everyone at Highclere!
The new ‘tall tree’ looks lovely and at home in it’s castle setting-well done.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful home with us through Downton Abbey.
Wishing you all the joy of the season and a Happy 2014!
Susan
A truly magnificent tour d’ force!
May you and your husband, and the entire staff, have a very Merry Christmas,
Caroline Ashleigh
Happy Christmas Wishes from Canada ! Really enjoyed reading of Lady Almina and Lady Catherine in your books. Thank you for the war time history …. some of which I hadn’t heard of before. All enjoying “Downton Abbey over here.
All the Very Best to You and Yours for 2014
Hope we get to see a picture of the completed tree! Happy Christmas Lord and Lady Carnarvon, and to your entire staff. Hope you have a happy and healthy New Year! Please keep writing those wonderful books!!
Mary
Merry Christmas to the Carnarvon family. We wish to thank you for a wonderful time at the charity event for the ambulance lift. It was wonderful to meet you and see your beautiful home. We arrived on Wednesday the 4th to your new tree just being put up. What a beautiful(but huge) tree!! The evening was wonderful as was the atmosphere,champagne and hors d’oeuvres. We hope to make it back again from Denver for another event and another evening of fun in your beautiful home. Thank you again,
Dr.Stephen M Mitchell
Michael C Martin
What a happy discovery for me to find this blog during recovery from a minor health problem!! I would never have guessed that I would love something more than the Downton series itself, but I think I’ve become a super fan of Lady Carnarvon’s stories of the real life and people of Highclere. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home. I wish you all many blessings in 2014.
This tree reminds me of a Downton Abbey Christmas episode. They had an enormous tree put up, and they went to work with all the beautiful ornaments. Mrs. Obrien, Edith, and Mary were all helping with the tree. The moment they turned on the lights and the entire room glowed, it was amazing. I can’t wait to see the finishing product!
I wish I had a home so tall like yours so that I can have a gigantic pine tree towering over me as I enjoy my books…
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I have question was your Christmas tree ever used on downton abbey?
Happy Christmas from the US I can’t wait to see the finished tree.