Solihull farmer chosen to decorate Downing Street Christmas tree
Charlotte Gilbert helped dress the Number 10 tree for sixth year
A farmer from Birmingham has been part of the team who've decorated the Christmas Tree at Downing Street for the six year in a row.
Charlotte Gilbert owns Wood Farm Christmas Trees in Solihull.
The 19-foot-tall Nordmann Fir has been lit up by the Prime Minister, signalling the start of Christmas.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “I would like to thank those who have helped to decorate Downing Street this Christmas, especially Russell and Liz from Bishops Offley Christmas Trees, who have provided our magnificent Fir tree, and all those at Santa Trees in Cornwall who have skilfully crafted this year’s wreath for our famous black door.
“Many thanks also to all of our hard-working growers and producers who provide beautiful Christmas trees across the UK. I would like to wish them, and their families, a very happy Christmas.”
Russell and Liz Stanhope from Bishops Offley Christmas Trees said: "This is a hugely proud moment for us to this year have the honour of providing one of our Christmas trees for Downing Street. Winning champion growers of the year was testament to a lot of hard work that's gone into our little business, and we are over the moon to be here seeing our tree in all its glory tonight. It’s a moment we will never forget."
Heather Parry, Managing Agent for BCTGA said: “We are so proud of our members who have worked tirelessly to ensure the public can enjoy a fresh, real Christmas tree, harvested from plantations up and down the country. Tonight, we celebrate some of the best in the business and congratulate our winners: Russell and Liz Stanhope from Bishops Offley Christmas Trees, Helen Edge and Margaret Dungey from Santa Trees, Cornwall, Stuart and Jennie Kirkup from Dartmoor Christmas Tree Farm, Devon and Robert Morgan from Gower
Fresh Christmas Trees, Swansea. And not forgetting a thank you to Jane and Charlotte who have decorated the Christmas tree outside No 10 for the last six years, they do a terrific job at their busiest time.”