Fairy Tree Topps.

It should have been so easy, the planning had been done, gifts bought, cards written, everyone involved informed of what was required, the time was set; but then everything went "Clovelly!" Father Christmas let me down, the sleigh was locked away, nobody was to be found and there were still cards to be delivered, and this was Christmas Eve!

For the past 20 years the Clovelly Lifeboat crew have been delivering small gifts to the more Senior moments of the village, a way of expressing thanks and good wishes for all the support and assistance they receive throughout the year. Huddled at the head of the hill the crew gather with a suitably robed Father Christmas and festively adorned sledge, they make their way merrily through the village, getting more and more merry and generally louder as they descend. Occasionally they are thanked, at times even refreshed, until they reach the landmark of the New Inn, half way, and New Inn hospitality takes some beating, too soon it's bon voyage and down a-long the long passage to the Quay.

So it is with a "stand in," Father Christmas suited up, unfortunately more Yo ho ho! than Ho ho ho! Poor kiddies!! The Sleigh finally liberated, cards hurriedly deposited and crew collected the night time Christmas Sleigh can finally begin its long trip down through the houses.

Walking down the cobbled village the half asleep night time houses with their doors closed to the cold outside and half pulled curtains revealing the seasonal glow of prized Christmas tree, people within watch the television and the shadows waiting for........ Well, waiting anyway.
But have you ever wondered about their decorations, the first Christmas together baubles, the babies first crib, the gifts so lovingly wrapped, the lights twinkling bright, each hung in a familiar way year after year, have you ever wondered..................

The tree is up, the tired and trusty decorations hung, balls and baubles, bells and bows, high upon the top sits the same old Star, dull and fading, wanting only to hang upon the back branches away from the limelight, and below him the Angel-in-Waiting, happily chomping on chocolates and sweets as she waits for her turn on top; while far far below sat on the edge of the tree trunk bucket with her broken string sits Fairy Tree Topps. Fairy Tree Topps wants the top job but there's a lot of tree between them, she decides to ask the other decorations for their help. Beside her a lonely tin soldier swings on parade, he says he'll help only if she helps him find his lost troupe, Fairy Tree Topps promises and off they climb. On the next branch they come across a Shepherd whose lost his flock, with a promise to help find the missing sheep the Shepherd joins the Fairy and the Soldier as they continue up the tree. It was a worried looking Reindeer that stopped them next, he'd lost the Sleigh and was afraid of spoiling Christmas, the Fairy promised to find the Sleigh if he would help her, so on they went. Three lost Kings that couldn't see the fading Star were on the next branch, afraid they'd missed the birth, the Fairy agreed to lead them to the Star if in return they'd help her. "It's a sign of the times," said the Chubby Cherub, "No one falls in love the old way any more!" So with a promise from the Fairy to help set up an online dating agency; bowandarrow.com, they all carried on. The cool sounds of Christmas drifted down through the branches as The Fairy and her friends came across the coolest man on the tree, the Snowman, sat in the Sleigh surrounded by sheep listening to the Drummer boy and the Trumpet Major and above them the Angel-in-Waiting!
She'd waited since she'd been bought from the shop, it seemed like ages and now it was her turn, no stuck up Fairy was going to take it from her; Fairy Tree Topps tried to push by, but the Angel stood in the way, side to side they went rocking the tree, back and forth, back and forth until tipping and toppling, wibbling and wobbling, the tree fell over! down went the decorations tumbling to the floor including the Star who'd never had so much fun, he laughed and laughed and positively shone, brighter than ever before.

The Lifeboat crew and Father Christmas find the lamp lit harbour quiet and still, the gifts all given the carols sung, the Red Lion warm and welcoming. Another Clovelly tradition upheld as locals and hotel residents join together for a merry night of celebration, for tomorrow shall be Christmas day.

If you wonder what became of Fairy Tree Topps and the Star, well when the family awoke in the morning they were met by a glorious tree and on the top a bright shiny Star. Where was Fairy Tree Topps? Well she was where she belonged, on the bottom; and who put them all back? Well that would be telling.................