A 20 ft tall Nordmann fir has taken its place outside 10 Downing Street after making its way from award-winning grower York Christmas Trees.
The family firm was was given the opportunity to provide the tree after winning Christmas Tree Grower of the Year, an annual competition run by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA).
Heather Parry, managing agent for BCTGA, said the arrival of the tree was “symbolic moment which shows the start of a Christmas which we have all been so focused on”.
She commented: “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 BCTGA 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.”
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.
The runner-up Christmas Tree Grower of the Year was Jon Baker of Little Down Christmas Tree Farm, East Sussex, who has provided Christmas trees for inside Downing Street.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson commented: “Huge congratulations to all this year’s competition winners. We’re delighted that York Christmas Trees has provided 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.”
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