Two 30ft Christmas trees are now standing tall in Grimsby town centre to bring some much-needed festive cheer and sparkle to the town centre.
The Nordman Fir trees, installed today (Monday 9 November), were supplied by local family-run business Strawson Woodland in East Ravendale, but were grown in Scotland.
The trees have been funded by NewLincs Development Ltd which operates the Energy from Waste plant in Stallingborough.
It is 21 years since North East Lincolnshire Council started working with the waste management contractor, which is part of the Dalkia Waste Energy group.
To celebrate this, they are gifting the two Christmas trees for Grimsby town centre. One tree is in its usual spot in The Bullring at St James’ Square and the other will stand 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 be decorated with hanging hearts from people’s messages to loved ones.
For a voluntary donation, people will be able to collect a heart from designated collection points (yet to be announced) so that they can write a message and decorate if they wish, before returning to the St Andrew’s team once lockdown has ended who will put them on the trees. More details will follow on this soon. Alternatively, a digital tree of remembrance can be found at https://visufund.com/light-up-a-life-remembrance-tree-2020
Sharon Hunt, Operations Director at Newlincs, said: “We are very happy to donate the Christmas trees this year in recognition of the 21 years of working together with North East Lincolnshire Council, and to support St Andrew’s Hospice. This year has been a difficult year for everyone and hopefully these trees will help spread a little Christmas cheer to everyone that sees them.”
Councillor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio for environment, said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to NewLincs for funding these two wonderful Christmas trees. Times are tough at the moment, so having these trees standing tall in Grimsby town centre is a much-needed festive boost ahead of the Christmas season.
“If you’re out and about doing some essential shopping or out for a walk and getting some exercise, please do enjoy the trees.”
Liz Parry, Chair of the Visitor Economy Services and Retail (VESR) group, said: “We are delighted that Dalkia Waste is supporting the town’s festivities by very kindly donating not one but two amazing Christmas trees for the town centre.
“This year has been extremely challenging for both residents and businesses and we are so disappointed that we are unable to hold our annual Christmas switch-on event. The trees will bring some much-needed festive cheer and sparkle.”
A spokesperson for St Andrew’s Hospice added: “We’re delighted to be involved in Grimsby’s Christmas celebrations again this year, 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.”
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