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Downing Street Christmas tree arrives from York to signal start of festive season

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).

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

[caption id="attachment_3899" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] The Christmas tree arrives at Number 10 Downing Street. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street[/caption]

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."

Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.

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