The family of a Welsh gran who broke the world record for the largest collection of Christmas baubles have called her “a legend” after she died aged 80. Sylvia Pope from Swansea, who had a colourful outlook on life and would prepare for her Christmas decor extravaganza as early as the summer of each year, died on Saturday, April 15 after a short illness.
In December 2021 Sylvia officially broke the Guinness World Record with her 1,760 baubles. Overjoyed by her record, she said at the time: “It is exciting to see all the different types you can buy.”
In a tribute this week her granddaughter Claire Bennett said the family often jokingly referred to Sylvia as “Nana Baubles". “Nana Baubles was the life and soul of any party,” Claire told WalesOnline on behalf of Sylvia’s large family. “She lit up a room if she was in it. She always had a smile on her face.
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“Our Nana was and is a legend, she was the head of our family, she was our matriarch. Her great-grandchildren were so, so proud that she was a world record holder. They have the Guinness World Record book and will cherish it forever. There will forever be a massive void in our lives. Christmas will never be the same again.”
Claire added that Sylvia was “absolutely ecstatic” with her record. “She was so happy,” she recalled. “She couldn’t wait to show us all her certificate.”
Sylvia’s bauble collection included a wide range of ornaments from all over the world, from memorable trips to Harrods in London, Macy’s in New York and from her local shops. Her favourites included a lobster, a hamburger, Big Ben, Disney characters and sentimental baubles made by her family and friends.
Her displays gained widespread media attention and led to her becoming a recognised face in Wales. A particularly colourful life from the beginning, Sylvia was born in Lockington Hall in Leicestershire during World War Two following her mother’s evacuation from London. Her family soon settled in Swansea.
Sylvia's family continued: “She was always proud of that. She absolutely loves the Royal Family so used to joke to us that she was a princess. She went on to have a lengthy career at Castle Bingo - a job that she thoroughly enjoyed as she loved to be around people.”
Sylvia is survived by her three children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Her son Haydn died seven years ago. “She never really got over the death of Haydn," Sylvia's family added. "But she always kept that smile on her face.”
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