Swanage Pier Christmas tree filling with baubles for loved ones

For the third year running, a Swanage family, who’s donated the Christmas tree on Swanage Pier in memory of their mum, is urging the town to hang baubles on the tree on the pier in memory of their own lost loved ones.

Jean Holmans who regularly visited and loved Swanage Pier, sadly passed away in December 2014 aged 67. 

Advertisement 

Since then, her daughter Julie Terry and granddaughters Natalie and Joanne have donated the Swanage Pier Christmas tree in memory of Jean.

Julie said:

“We lost my mum very suddenly. We decided to move to Swanage where we’ve been coming for years. We used to visit the pier a lot with my mum. 

“We noticed that all they ever had was just a very large branch of a tree for a Christmas tree. The following year we approached them and said could we donate every year?

“We’d buy a Christmas tree every year for the pier and dedicate it in memory of my mum, because she died at Christmas and she loved Christmas.”

Jean Holmans

Jean Holmans

Natalie Terry, Julie Terry and Joanne Avery - who donated the tree

Natalie Terry, Julie Terry and Joanne Avery – who donated the tree

In memory of Jean

The family was originally from Kent, and decided to move to Swanage after Jean passed away.

A keen visitor to Swanage, Jean was nicknamed Barnet because of her immaculate hair – and the tree has adopted a similar nickname.

Julie explained: 

“Mum was very lovely and very giving. She had loads of friends. Sadly she died of pneumonia, and nobody knew she had it.”

Brightening Swanage Pier

The memorial Christmas tree stands at the far end of Swanage Pier, where visitors can enjoy the festive spirit while looking out to sea.

Swanage Pier Trust has expressed its gratitude to the family for the gift.

A spokesperson for the trust said:

“Swanage Pier Trust would like to say thank you to Julie and Natalie Terry, and Joanne Avery for the kind donation of the Christmas tree, in memory of Julie’s mum and Natalie and Joanne’s grandmother, Jean Holmans. 

“It’s lovely to have the tree at the end of the Pier and to see it being filled up with baubles in memory of loved ones this Christmas, makes it really special.”

Swanage Pier Christmas Tree 2020

Share this story

Contact us

Do you have anything to add to this story?

We like to keep everything up-to-date, so if you know more, please help us by getting in touch.

Advertisement 

Top stories

Storm Ciarán sweeps into Swanage brushing away its flood defences Concrete blocks along Swanage seafront to protect against flooding were strewn across the road by the force of Storm Ciarán, while Studland beaches had about five years of coastal erosion ... 1 month ago BBC snubs Purbeck by filming Enid Blyton stories in Cornwall 1 week ago Polar Express magic arrives in Swanage for Christmas 3 weeks ago Crisis at Swanage Railway as £450,000 survival fund is launched 1 month ago Restaurant with perfect view of Swanage Bay to open in 2024 2 weeks ago

Most recent

Inspiring Christmas trees at Swanage festival A dazzling display of decorated trees is delighting visitors to the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Swanage, for the annual Purbeck Christmas Tree Festival. 18 hours ago Enchanted evenings light up Purbeck secret garden 2 days ago Swanage seafront survey result gives council splitting headache 3 days ago Plans for growth at Swanage community garden 4 days ago Corfe Castle celebrates a big birthday at Xmas 5 days ago