DOWNING STREET TREE SWITCH-ON SIGNALS START OF CHRISTMAS

A 20 ft tall Nordmann Fir was lit up by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson tonight, signalling the start of Christmas.

Marldon Christmas Tree Farm in Devon provided the Prime Minister’s Christmas tree this year after winning Champion Christmas Tree Grower of the Year in an annual competition run by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA).

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “It is fantastic to welcome the winners of this year’s BCTGA Competition to Downing Street, to light up our tree.

“We’re grateful to those who have helped to decorate Number 10, from those at Marldon Farm in Devon who provided our 20ft Christmas tree to those at Friezeland Christmas Tree Farm in Warwickshire who supplied our wreath.

“Their work is a true testament to all of our growers and producers up and down the UK who work so hard throughout the year to provide us with everything we need to get into the festive spirit.

“Wherever you are this Christmas, I wish you joy and peace, along with health and happiness in the year ahead.”

Sadie Lynes owner of Marldon Christmas Tree Farm said: “To win the opportunity to provide the Christmas Tree for Downing Street is an absolute privilege and makes all the hard work we do throughout the year, worth it. This is a very proud moment for us and marks the start of a very special Christmas that we are all so looking forward after a challenging year.”

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

Friezeland Christmas Tree Farm, Warwickshire, provided the wreath for the door of No 10 Downing Street after winning the Champion Festive Wreath category.

Hans Christmas Andersen, Surrey, provided Christmas trees for inside No.10 and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) after winning Runner Up Christmas Tree Grower of the Year and Best Short Film.

Heather Parry, Managing Agent for BCTGA said: “This Christmas will be a truly special one and tonight signals the start of festivities when people will want to come together more than ever before. We are so proud of our members who have worked tirelessly to overcome challenges to ensure the public can enjoy a fresh, real Christmas tree, harvested from plantations up and down the country. Tonight, we celebrate some of the best in the business and congratulate our 2021 winners: Sadie Lynes from Marldon Christmas Tree Farm, Toby Ryley of Friezeland Christmas Tree Farm and Hans and Julie from Hans Christmas Andersen. And not forgetting a thank you to Jane and Charlotte who have decorated the Christmas tree outside No10 for the last five years, they do a terrific job at their busiest time.”

The annual British Christmas Tree Growers Association competition has been run since 1998. The BCTGA, which was formed 31 years ago, is managed by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society

 

IMAGE ATTACHED: PM Boris Johnson Downing Street Christmas Lights Switch On CREDIT Tim Hammond / No 10 Downing Street

 

Timelapse footage of the Christmas tree being decorated is available on request

 

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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.
  • 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.

Find your nearest grower here: https://www.bctga.co.uk/onlinedirectory