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| Providing festive cheer - one of the two Scotland-grown trees |
TWO 30ft Christmas trees are now standing tall in Grimsby town centre.
More than any time since the 1939-45 war there is a need to bring festive cheer and sparkle to the town.
Up until two years ago, a tree used to be supplied and shipped here as a gift from Norway.
But that arrangement ended after a spat over the condition of the 2018 tree which was replaced after being deemed "sparse and threadbare".
It is not clear if it was dug from the ground in that state or if it deteriorated while being stored in Immingham.
Locally, we should have been gracious enough to thank the Norwegians for their gift, then 'bushed' it out with tinsel and lights, instead of ridiculing it.
The Norwegians were greatly embarrassed and insulted, and a 15-year tradition came to an end.
This year, the trees - Nordman Firs - have been supplied by Strawson Woodland, of East Ravendale, from stock grown in Scotland.
Funding has come from NewLincs Development Ltd which operates the Energy-from-Waste plant in Stallingborough.
One tree is in its usual spot in the Bullring at St James’ Square, while the other stands in the Riverhead.
Both trees will be dedicated as a Tree of Love to give people the opportunity to include a message for someone they hold dear while supporting St Andrew’s Hospice.
Instead of baubles and similar to last year, the trees will soon be decorated with hanging hearts from people’s messages to loved ones.
A spokesperson for St Andrew’s Hospice enthused: “We are delighted to be involved in Grimsby’s Christmas celebrations as this town means so much to us.
"We really wanted to do something special to add to the festive cheer and celebrations, and the Tree of Love seems like a fantastic way for people to share their Christmas wishes with one another whilst supporting the work of the hospice.”
Firstly, thankyou to Stawsons and NewLincs Development Ltd for funding and supply of of the Christmas trees to the town. I do feel that the Council could find the funds from down the sides of the sofa for such an occasion as this.
ReplyDeleteI am also much in agreement with your comment about the 2018 Tree. The Town should have been gracious enough to thank the Norwegians, and made the best of it.
They were good enough to give a gift to say thankyou for our assistance in times past, and we were saying, It's not good enough!
In my book it was inpolite and I am sad, but not surprised the gifting of the tree has come to an end.