Christmas tree winners visit Downing Street to mark lights switch-on
Winning Christmas tree grower visits Downing Street for official 'lights on' ceremony.
A family from Dartmoor have seen their award winning trees and wreath officially received by Number 10 Downing Street – in a ceremony for the first time overseen by new British Prime Minister, Theresa May.
Husband and wife Stuart and Jennie Kirkup won an annual competition, organised by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association, to find the best seasonal wreaths and trees from within the membership.
The couple have been running Dartmoor Christmas Trees since 2002 and became the first growers in the contest’s history to win SEVEN prizes in one go.
On Thursday this week, Jennie and Stuart travelled to Downing Street with their four young children, in time to see the lights switched on the main 20ft outdoor Downing Street tree, and to see a second tree – also provided by them – in place in the Pillared Room of the official residence.
Harry Brightwell, secretary of the British Christmas Tree Growers’ Association, said: “This particular event is always such a special occasion for those members who win the right to have their tree or wreath at the official residence.
“For Stuart and Jennie to have won so many of the prizes from the annual contest is quite exceptional in our history, so we thoroughly applaud them and are delighted they have had the chance to see their wreath and trees in place on such a special evening.”
