Friday 27 November 2020

A 20 ft tall Nordmann Fir took its prestigious place outside Downing Street today after making its way from the award-winning York Christmas Trees.

The family firm has the honour of providing the Downing Street Christmas Tree after winning Champion Christmas Tree Grower of the Year in an annual competition run by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA).

Will and Ella Miles of Welford Christmas Tree Farm, Northampton have provided the wreath for the door of 10 Downing Street after winning the Champion Festive Wreath category.

The Christmas tree was dressed by Charlotte Gilbert of Woods Farm Christmas Trees, Solihull and Jane Ingram of The Tree Barn, Watlington, Oxfordshire.

Heather Parry, Managing Agent for BCTGA said: “Today is a symbolic moment which shows the start of a Christmas which we have all been so focussed on. It was a significant boost that the Government supported our members, recognising that Christmas trees are essential at this time of year and that the selling season is short; whilst understanding consumers are particularly keen to get their decorations up this year.”

The annual British Christmas Tree Growers Association competition has been run since 1999 and York Christmas Trees is the first winner from the north of England.

Oliver Combe owner of York Christmas Trees said: “We are a small family run Christmas tree business based on a farm just outside York and to be given the chance to provide the tree for Downing Street is incredibly exciting and a great reward for all the hard work that our team puts in throughout the year.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Huge congratulations to all this year’s competition winners.  We’re delighted that York Christmas Trees will be providing the Downing Street tree this year which I hope will be enjoyed by many.

“These beautiful trees and wreaths are the first step to bringing us some festive cheer in what has ultimately been a very challenging year for us all.”

The Runner Up Christmas Tree Grower of the Year was Jon Baker of Little Down Christmas Tree Farm, East Sussex who is providing Christmas trees for inside Downing Street.

Best Short Film Winner was Sholach Trees Ltd, Perthshire, Scotland and they have provided a Christmas tree for The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The British Christmas Tree Growers Association, (BCTGA) has 320 members nationally.

It is estimated that 6 – 8 million Christmas trees are sold in the UK each year.

The BCTGA, which was formed 30 years ago, is managed by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

 

Jo Francisco

PR Manager

Mobile: 07954 007414

Email: jof@yas.co.uk

 

EDITOR’S NOTES

• The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) is the trade association for those who grow specialist Christmas Trees in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Visit www.bctga.co.uk and see @BCTGA
• The BCTGA was first established in 1980 and now has more than 320 members.
• It is estimated that 6 – 8 million Christmas trees are sold in the UK each year.
• BCTGA members abide by a Code of Practice to promote trees being grown in an environmental and sustainable way.
• The BCTGA is managed by Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS), a registered charity which supports and promotes the farming industry through health care, education and funding scientific research into rural affairs.