Trafalgar Square’s Christmas Tree and it’s Journey to the Centre of London
The world's most famous Christmas tree has arrived in London. Captain Lars Skjold-Hansen is amongst those who help with the smooth crossing from Oslo to London.
The world’s most famous Christmas tree has arrived in the capital. The tree in Trafalgar Square appeared early on Monday morning and will be lit up in splendour after a lighting ceremony on Thursday.
For many Londoners, the festive season only truly begins once they’ve seen and judged the tree in all its glory. Whilst debates of the tree’s appearance have become as traditional as the tree itself, the story of why and how it gets to the city shouldn’t be forgotten.
Trafalgar square Christmas Tree being erected
The tree is a gift from the people of Norway to Britain to express their ongoing gratitude for the country’s support during World War II. In war-time London, news broadcasts were made in Norwegian to inspire hope of freedom across the sea. The Oslo Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square is symbolic of the two countries enduring friendship.
This year’s offering is a Norwegian Spruce which stand at 25 meters high. It is the 78th tree to grace the square and has been named “Ever Oslo”.
Selected through a social media poll, the tree was felled in late November with the help of the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Paul Dimoldenberg, and Mayor of Oslo, Anne Lindboe.
Dimoldenberg spoke of the privilege to be a part of the ceremony and gave his, “heartfelt thanks to the people of Oslo and Norway for this wonderful gift.”
The tree’s journey to London begins in an electric truck to the port of Brevik where it is loaded onto a ship bound for Immingham after which another truck delivers it to London.
Captain Lars Skjold-Hansen knows all about the journey across the water. He has been responsible for the safe crossing of five trees in the tradition’s history.
During this year’s crossing, Captain Skjold-Hansen was even thanked by the Trafalgar Tree’s official Instagram account, dubbing him “the hero making sure I sail into Tree-falgar Square with every branch still intact.”
He told City News that it’s very important that the tradition keeps going as a reminder of the war which formed the way we live today.
“It’s the same procedure every year” Skjold-Hansen said. “We get an announcement that ‘for this voyage we are going to load a tree’, and everybody on board is so excited because we know it’s the tree for Trafalgar Square.”
The journey across the North Sea takes 24 hours and it seems the crew take full advantage of being the first to be up close with the famous tree and leave their mark. “To make a little tradition out of it, we always put our Christmas decorations on the tree and left them on the tree when it disembarks at Immingham,” Skjold-Hansen revealed.
Credit: Captain Lars Skjold-Hansen
He also spoke of his sense of pride of his involvement in such an important tradition. “It’s an honour to be a part of this tradition and we know it means a lot to Norway…I mean imagine putting a tree on Trafalgar Square!”
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HeadlineTrafalgar Square’s Christmas Tree and it’s Journey to the Centre of London
Short HeadlineNorway to London: Trafalgar Square's Christmas Tree
StandfirstThe world's most famous Christmas tree has arrived in London. Captain Lars Skjold-Hansen is amongst those who help with the smooth crossing from Oslo to London.
The world’s most famous Christmas tree has arrived in the capital. The tree in Trafalgar Square appeared early on Monday morning and will be lit up in splendour after a lighting ceremony on Thursday.
For many Londoners, the festive season only truly begins once they’ve seen and judged the tree in all its glory. Whilst debates of the tree’s appearance have become as traditional as the tree itself, the story of why and how it gets to the city shouldn’t be forgotten.
Trafalgar square Christmas Tree being erected
The tree is a gift from the people of Norway to Britain to express their ongoing gratitude for the country’s support during World War II. In war-time London, news broadcasts were made in Norwegian to inspire hope of freedom across the sea. The Oslo Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square is symbolic of the two countries enduring friendship.
This year’s offering is a Norwegian Spruce which stand at 25 meters high. It is the 78th tree to grace the square and has been named “Ever Oslo”.
Selected through a social media poll, the tree was felled in late November with the help of the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Paul Dimoldenberg, and Mayor of Oslo, Anne Lindboe.
Dimoldenberg spoke of the privilege to be a part of the ceremony and gave his, “heartfelt thanks to the people of Oslo and Norway for this wonderful gift.”
The tree’s journey to London begins in an electric truck to the port of Brevik where it is loaded onto a ship bound for Immingham after which another truck delivers it to London.
Captain Lars Skjold-Hansen knows all about the journey across the water. He has been responsible for the safe crossing of five trees in the tradition’s history.
During this year’s crossing, Captain Skjold-Hansen was even thanked by the Trafalgar Tree’s official Instagram account, dubbing him “the hero making sure I sail into Tree-falgar Square with every branch still intact.”
He told City News that it’s very important that the tradition keeps going as a reminder of the war which formed the way we live today.
“It’s the same procedure every year” Skjold-Hansen said. “We get an announcement that ‘for this voyage we are going to load a tree’, and everybody on board is so excited because we know it’s the tree for Trafalgar Square.”
The journey across the North Sea takes 24 hours and it seems the crew take full advantage of being the first to be up close with the famous tree and leave their mark. “To make a little tradition out of it, we always put our Christmas decorations on the tree and left them on the tree when it disembarks at Immingham,” Skjold-Hansen revealed.
Credit: Captain Lars Skjold-Hansen
He also spoke of his sense of pride of his involvement in such an important tradition. “It’s an honour to be a part of this tradition and we know it means a lot to Norway…I mean imagine putting a tree on Trafalgar Square!”
