Trafalgar Square Christmas tree

Christmas carollers gather at the tree two days before Christmas, 2006

The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is a Christmas tree donated to the people of Britain by the city of Oslo each year since 1947.[1] The tree is prominently displayed in Trafalgar Square from the beginning of December until 6 January.

History

The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree has been an annual gift to the people of Britain by the city of Oslo each year since 1947 as a token of gratitude for British support of Norway during the Second World War.[2]

The tree has provided a central focus for the Trafalgar Square traditional carol-singing programme, performed by different groups raising money for voluntary or charitable organisations.

The tree remains until just before the Twelfth Night of Christmas, when it is taken down for recycling. The tree is chipped and composted, to make mulch.[3]

Tree

The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree in 2008

The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is typically a 50- to 60-year-old Norway spruce, generally over 20 metres tall.[3] The tree is cut sometime in November during a ceremony attended by the British Ambassador to Norway, Mayor of Oslo, and Lord Mayor of Westminster.[3] After the tree is cut it is shipped to Great Britain by sea.[3] At one time it was shipped to Felixstowe free of charge by a cargo ship of the Fred Olsen Line.[1] As of at least 2007 the tree was shipped across the North Sea to Immingham by DFDS Tor Line.[4]

The Trafalgar Square tree is decorated in a traditional Norwegian style and adorned with 500 white lights.[5] In 2008, the tree utilised low-wattage halogen bulbs which used 15 amps (3.5 kW) of power.[5]

At the base of the tree stands a plaque, bearing the words:

This tree is given by the city of Oslo as a token of Norwegian gratitude to the people of London for their assistance during the years 1940-45.

A tree has been given annually since 1947.

Lighting ceremony and carolling

Lewisham Choral Society singing carols in December 2010

The tree lighting ceremony in Trafalgar Square takes place on the first Thursday in December and is attended by thousands of people.[4] The ceremony, led by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, includes a band and choir followed by the lighting of the tree with the flick of a switch.[4]

Traditionally, the tree provides a focal point for Christmas carolling groups.[1] For many in London, the tree and the accompanying carolling signals the countdown to Christmas.[3]

Since 2009, the Poetry Society has commissioned new poems annually for display on banners around the base of the tree. In 2010 schoolchildren also performed one of poems at the lighting-up ceremony.[6]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Baker, Margaret. Discovering Christmas Customs and Folklore: A Guide to Seasonal Rites, (Google Books), Osprey Publishing, 1992, p. 50,(ISBN 0747801754).
  2. ↑ Solholm, Rolleiv (7 December 2013). "Norway's Christmas tree lights up Trafalgar Square". The Norway Post. NRK. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Christmas in Trafalgar Square", Greater London Assembly, official site, 2008, accessed 26 March 2009.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Strange, Hannah. "The Trafalgar Christmas Tree" The Times, (London), 6 December 2007, accessed 26 March 2009.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Trafalgar Square Christmas tree marks the start of Christmas in Westminster", City of Westminster, 8 December 2008, accessed 26 March 2009.
  6. ↑ "Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree - Wrapped in Poetry". The Poetry Society. 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
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Coordinates: 51°30′29″N 0°07′41″W / 51.508157°N 0.128114°W