Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Kali Lindsay

The special reason this Morpeth pub is keeping its Christmas tree up all year

The Christmas period may seem like a distant memory - but this Northumberland pub is keeping the festive feeling alive all year long.

Visitors to The Half Moon Inn, in Stakeford, can expect to see their Christmas tree up for the whole of 2023.

But with an added twist, the decorations will change theme to celebrate various events throughout the year starting with Burns Night.

READ MORE: ITV Vera: The books the show is based on and the best order to read Ann Cleeves’ DCI Stanhope books in

And, throughout the year the pub will be raising money for a new defibrillator for the town.

Robbie Morgan, who bar has managed the bar for four years, said: "This year we will be keeping our tree up through the whole year. Why? To raise money for a life-saving defibrillator for the community.

The Christmas tree in The Half Moon Inn is currently decorated for Burns Night (Newcastle Chronicle)

"With the closest defibrillator being an eight-minute walk away from The Half Moon, another defibrillator in our community can only be a positive.

"Every minute counts in an emergency and if disaster strikes, our community defibrillator may be the closest to you or your loved ones."

Customers can expect to see a variety of decorations on the tree throughout the year as they celebrate various events, with tartan and Irn Bru cans currently on show ahead of Burns Night.

Robbie, 26, said: "Next up we will have Valentine's Day and then there is St Patrick's Day, we are going to decorate it for Pride and then there will obviously be the likes of Halloween."

Although some people may dislike the idea of a Christmas tree on show, Robbie said the idea has been a hit with customers.

He said: "It has been really, really well received. I did think some of our older customers who are more traditional might not have been so keen, but not everyone has liked it."

It is not the first time staff at the establishment have helped those in need, having supported the charity Christmas For All last year.

Robbie added: "We were delivered about 20 Christmas tree tags from the local charity Christmas For All before Christmas.

"Tags had a Christmas present suggestion from a local child who will go without or with very little on Christmas Day.

"All the tags got taken within hours of them going on the tree. Our phenomenal customers just kept the gifts coming despite the suggestion tags being all gone."

READ NEXT:

  • Sunderland mum who raised thousands for charity dies of ovarian cancer aged 45
  • More than 10,000 visits to Sunderland warm spaces hubs in just three months
  • Inside Northumberland's number one restaurant according to TripAdvisor
  • Robson Green confirms start date for new TV show Weekend Escapes
  • North Shields family's heartache as boy, 10, comes home to die
  • Sign up to read this article
    Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
    Already a member? Sign in here
    Related Stories
    Top stories on inkl right now
    One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
    Already a member? Sign in here
    Our Picks
    Fourteen days free
    Download the app
    One app. One membership.
    100+ trusted global sources.