As we remember..so does Norway with a Special Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree Lighting Up

Today, in a ceremony before the Mayor of Oslo, The Lord Mayor of London and
the British Ambassador to Norway, the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree is being felled ready to be shipped
to London.

A fresh 20 metre high Norwagian spruce (Picea Abies) is given as a gift each year (since 1947) from
Norway to the people of Britain as a symbol of gratitude and friendship in remembrance of the support and
assistance given by Britain to Norway during the Second World War.

As the Germans invaded Norway in 1940, Norway's King Haakon VII escaped to England and Norwegian
Government headquarters were set up in London for 5 years - from where war news was broadcast in
Norwegian, along with messages and information vital to the resistance movement in Norway - until the
end of hostilities.

Each year during the war, the Norwegian resistance secretly sent a tree from Norway to make the King feel
closer to his homeland.

The Trafalgar Square tree is probably the world's most famous Christmas Tree and the lighting-up ceremony
is broadcast around the world; seen by millions and heralding the countdown to Christmas.

After the ceremony in Oslo, the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree travels by road to the Norwegian port of
Brevik from where it makes the sea journey to Immingham on the Humber courtesy of DFDS who ship
the tree each year at no cost.

The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree will be lifted by crane onto a road train low-loader at
Immingham Dock around 9.30 am on Saturday 1 December when it will be secured to a specially-
contructed wooden crib to ensure it's safe and secure arrival in London ready for siting and decorating
with low energy LED lighting in Trafalgar Square.

The final leg of the journey will be on Saturday 1 December when at 9.30am the Tree will be lifted
onto a low loader road train and secured to a specially-contructed wooden crib, seen by local school
children who have taken part in a "design a poster" competition on the theme of the Trafalgar Square
Christmas Tree.

It will leave Immingham Dock with the good wishes of all attending as it heads for London.

The Tree will arrive at Immingham Dock from Norway at 5am this Saturday 24 November and will be
kept in secure storage prior to the last leg of it's journey.

Once in London the tree will be decorated with 500 low energy LED lights ready to be switched on by the
Mayor of Oslo, Norwegian Ambassador to Britain and Mayor of Westminster on Thursday 6 December 2018 at 6pm.

Carol singing by The Salvation Army and the St Martin-in-the-Fields choir will accompany the event, along
with poetry readings by local school children. The Christmas Tree lighting-up marks the first of a series of
Christmas activities held in Trafalgar Square.

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

Further images from the 2017 Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree switch-on can be seen here:-
https://www.flickr.com/photos/oslobystyre/sets/72157690703329715