Trafalgar Square’s Christmas tree lights are due to be switched on later, as the countdown to the festive season begins.
The tree has been an annual gift from the people of Norway to the people of Great Britain since 1947 in appreciation of Britain’s support during World War II.
So how have times changed since the first tree was put in place? Trace the tree’s early history through periodical newspapers.
1947: The London Daily News
“Yeah, yeah, nice tree, but DICK BARTON WHAT?!”
“When the lights are switched on in Trafalgar Square at Christmas, London’s children will see the glamor of fairy tales.
“Behind Nelson’s Column, they will see a Christmas tree, 45 meters high, lit up with colored fairy lights. It is a gift from the people of Norway to Great Britain, which will be celebrated around an even bigger lighted tree in Oslo.
“The Ministry of Fuel decided last night to grant permission for the lights, “because the lighting will not be for business: the tree is classified as a ‘charitable gift’, a goodwill gift to encourage London.”
The headlines on the front of this edition include: “Woman hit by stolen spirit truck”, “Food pact with Canada closer” and “Dick Barton disappears”.
The last of these refers to a slightly hysterical reaction to a “technical snag” with the popular radio show that replaced it with light music. Apparently “all the phone lines to the BBC were jammed” and “three groups of kids in taxis went to Broadcasting House to offer their services to Dick Barton if he needed help”.
1948: The Illustrated London News
1948: The Illustrated London News
1948: “Remember when it was ‘gay but queer’?”
“Many Londoners think nostalgically of the Metropolis at night with its colorful, albeit rather bright, fun, bright and varied advertising signs, so the new kaleidoscopic lighting of Trafalgar Square’s redesigned fountains has been welcomed.
“On November 15th, 16th, 17th and 20th the lighting of the fountains was mainly blue, in honor of the birth of our new prince, the infant son of HRH Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh and the first grandchild of Their Majesties The King and Queen, which took place at Buckingham Palace on Sunday night, November 14, and It was received with the gratitude and pleasure of the entire nation.”
Elsewhere in the paper were reports on the prince’s christening, separate sections on the font used and the cakes consumed at the christening, and a feature on composition.
1950: West London Observer
1950: “Have you heard? We must keep our waste paper flat!”
“For the first time since Oslo sent us our Christmas tree, there will be no formal presentation in Trafalgar Square. The reason? Not government department rudeness, but Norwegians’ feeling that the tree is now part of London’s Christmas tradition, and the need, if you’ll pardon the pun, to ‘ no bushes’.
“It can be said, therefore, that he arrived formally next Wednesday, at 6:00 p.m., when the lights come on and before he goes there to sing.
“The workers will raise it tomorrow.”
Elsewhere, headlines include “Intruder mistaken for husband, wife tells judge”, “Water gun used in hold-up” and “Keep your wastepaper flat, Fulham councilor appeals”.
1962: The Sphere
1962: Not deep, not crisp and neither
“Now one of London’s favorite symbols of Christmas, Trafalgar Square’s 60ft tall tree is awash with lights.
“The lighting ceremony was held last week by Mr. Arne Skaug, the Norwegian ambassador in London, and a Norwegian girls’ choir sang carols as a crowd of visitors watched.
“The tree is a gift from the citizens of Oslo. Its lights and street decorations give London a festive and seasonal glow.”
The Sphere also reported on a rebellion in Brunei, the 81st Varsity Match (Cambridge won 14-0) and a mission to follow in the footsteps of King Wenceslas.
1967: Marylebone Mercury
1967: Stuck for a gift for your lady love? Drizzle the sausages over the sprinklers
“Oslo’s gift is 21: Every Christmas a special grace is given to Trafalgar Square by setting up and lighting the Christmas tree presented by the city of Oslo to the people of London.
“The 60-foot fir that arrived at West India Docks on December 4 this year was the 21st of its kind.
“Its lights were lit as darkness fell on December 14th by H. E. Madame Ame Skaug, wife of the British Ambassador to Norway, accompanied by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Alderman A. C. Barrett.”
The front page of the publication read “Nighttime parking ban on cars”, while inside the headline “Man jailed for making sausages”. Meanwhile, “Residents Wanted Noise Abatement Officer” fights for space with an ad asking men to buy their wives Christmas presents from the London Electricity Board (suggestions include a spray iron, toaster and hair rollers).
1975: Acton Gazette
1975: “The tree? Who cares? Page 4 says a man of retirement age plans to retire!”
The excitement about the tree has died down, and the spartan Acton Gazette goes with: “The usual lighting of the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square will be held tomorrow.”
More excitement can be found on the other pages, with the front headline: “Acton man charged in spaghetti house case”, while smaller news items include “Workman counting the cost of a sharp curl” and “Reflections on a life in the wire industry”. Mr. Charles Davis, 72, plans to retire.”
1978: Fulham Chronicle
1978 was a tough year for local football club fans, but a great one for Route 7L.
“London Transport’s Christmas ‘light viewing’ bus service route 7L, which entered Oxford Street last month, has been modified to also accommodate the Regent Street lights and the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree.
“The open service will also run through Marble Arch, Oxford Street and Regent Street and then on to Trafalgar Square via Piccadilly Circus and the Haymarket.
“It will continue to run frequently between 5.30pm and 10pm every evening until January 6 (except Christmas Day), and buses will see specially marked bus stops. The current flat fare of 20p for adults (10p for children) remains unchanged. they will be able to come from any point along the route.”
Front page headlines include “Police find this poison appeal”, “Tory speaks for man in court” and “Soccer shocker – Fulham and district football clubs shocked to learn cost of annual disco dance more than doubled”.
2022: BBC News
The 2022 lighting ceremony will take place in Trafalgar Square on December 1 at around 17:45 GMT.
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Can you go to Kew Gardens in the rain?
Our Wild Botanic Gardens set in the middle of the Sussex countryside are a wonderful place even when it’s raining.
Is Kew Gardens outside the congestion zone? Kew Gardens is not within the London Congestion Zone. It’s not even in ULEZ, although the surroundings are. We recommend ALWAYS checking before traveling if you are driving, details can be found here.
Is Kew Gardens indoors or outdoors?
A nice balance of indoor and outdoor gardens – Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Kew Traveler Reviews – Tripadvisor
What is the best month to visit Kew Gardens?
In May, Kew Gardens comes alive (literally) and the bluebell blooms are particularly popular with visitors; but the summer months are perhaps when Kew Gardens are at their most beautiful.
Is Kew Gardens worth seeing?
Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew The Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew is a wonderful place for plant lovers who want to wander through one of London’s most interesting (green) areas. Kew is one of the most famous botanic gardens in the world for its diversity of plants and fungi.
What is the best month to visit Kew Gardens?
In May, Kew Gardens comes alive (literally) and the bluebell blooms are particularly popular with visitors; but the summer months are perhaps when Kew Gardens are at their most beautiful.
How long do you need in Kew Gardens?
It is suggested that most people take around three hours to explore the full length of the gardens. (It’s about a mile wide and takes about 40 minutes to walk across.) We usually stay all day and still don’t see everything. If you have time, spend a whole day at Kew.
Is Kew Gardens worth visiting in winter?
It may be cold, but the garden is still thriving with winter green. Stroll along the Holly Walk near Temperate House to see one of the most complete collections of holly in Europe, planted in 1874. Head to the Pinetum to immerse yourself in a wonderland of foliage.
What happens if it rains at Kew Gardens?
On a rainy day you can visit Kew Gardens in the comfort of the Kew Explorer train which departs every half hour. You will be able to catch it in Victoria Square, and the price is included with online admission to the gardens.
How long does it take to walk through Kew Gardens?
It is suggested that most people take around three hours to explore the full length of the gardens. (It is about a mile wide and takes about 40 minutes to walk across.)
What if it rains at Kew Gardens?
On a rainy day you can visit Kew Gardens in the comfort of the Kew Explorer train which departs every half hour. You will be able to catch it in Victoria Square, and the price is included with online admission to the gardens. The route takes approximately 40 minutes, and you can go up and down as you like.
Est-ce qu’il neige à Londres en décembre ?
You can expect a few days of snow in London in December. It is important to leave neige bottes and your mitaines rester au chaud pendant que explorez London.
Where to go in England in December? Le Sud-Ouest
- Le Sud-Ouest.
- Bath, ville thermale.
- Bristol, the creative destination of England!
- Chipping Campden, les Costwolds.
- Cornwall.
- Evadez-vous dans le Devon, au sud ouest de l’Angleterre.
- Lyme Regis – Dorset.
- Plymouth, a port city in the south-west of England.
Quel temps à Londres en décembre ?
London in December Vous risquez d’être arrosés de temps à autre. Average temperatures include between 5°C and 8°C, but in those years they can drop to -7°C and 16°C.
Quand aller à Londres pour Noël ?
Londres in winter: December – January – February But during the whole month of December, you can take advantage of the Christmas illuminations and ice skating rinks that bloom everywhere in London and give him a touch of magic.
Quel mois pour aller à Londres ?
Better times London. Average temperatures fluctuate from 9 ° (January) to 23 ° (July). The rainiest months are: December, November and October. We recommend the months of May, June, July, August, September to visit London.
Quand partir à Londres pour Noël ?
If you love the atmosphere of Christmas, you can actually go to London from mid-November because the season of Christmas starts very early, with animations, Christmas markets, illuminations, etc.
Quel est le meilleur moment pour aller à Londres ?
The most favorable months in terms of climate in London are May to October. The maximum temperature is 15°C annual average (8°C in January 23°C in July) Over the year 796mm (48mm in September 96mm in June) Average temperature chauds sont Juillet et Août.
Quel mois partir à londre ?
The best period to return to London is June in September. During the year, variable change in average temperature. It is around 12 °C. It is in February that the temperatures are the lowest, with minimums around 3 °C.
Quand la neige en Angleterre ?
Autumn in England is gray and rainy, sometimes windy. In November, the first shoots may be produced occasionally.
Quelle est la saison de la neige ?
In meteorology, winter covers the months of December, January and February, which is the coldest period of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. C’est la saison du froid, voire des grands froids, mais aussi de la neige, du givre, du brouillard, des pluies verglaçants et des tempêtesâ¦
Quand Est-ce qu’il neige à Londres ?
Winter begins in December and the temperatures, as you can imagine, are low, even though it is not the coldest month. Legal option de neige. Different temperatures between 3°C and 8°C.
What time does Christmas at Kew start?
Opening hours from 16:20 to 22:00. Entry is in 20-minute intervals from 4:20 p.m. Last entry at 20:00 (December 24 at 19:00). Entry to Kew for Christmas is via Victoria Gate or Brentford Gate, depending on your ticket.
Which gate is best for Christmas in Kew? The best gate to start the light trail is the main gate, Victoria Gate, as the route is designed to end next to this gate in a grand finale at the Palm House. Parking at Kew Gardens needs to be booked in advance, but there are a variety of paid and free car parks available.
What time does Christmas at Kew finish?
From 16:20 to 22:00. Entry is in 20-minute intervals from 4:20 p.m. Last entry at 20:00 (December 24 at 19:00). Entry to Kew for Christmas is via Victoria Gate or Brentford Gate, depending on your ticket.
What time is last entry to Kew Gardens?
The gardens are open from 10am to 4.30pm (last admission 4pm)* The gardens are open for exploration all year round, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
How long do you spend at Christmas at Kew?
Kew’s Christmas Walk is approximately 1.6 miles long and takes 75 minutes to walk. The route is designed to be visible from the trails. Some interactive elements may invite viewers to the grass where we will provide additional mats.
Can Kew members get in early?
About Kew members and their guests can have exclusive access to the gardens from 8am. Take advantage of the extra two hours in the beautiful morning light before the doors open to non-members at 10am. Plus, when our greenhouses and galleries open at 10am, you can be among the first to enjoy them!
What time does Kew Gardens car park open?
Kew Gardens car park (Ferry Lane, Richmond, TW9 3AF) is an on-site car park provided by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It can be accessed from the Brentford Gate entrance and is open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 7pm, but Saturday and Sunday 9.30am to 8pm.
Do RHS members get free entry to Kew Gardens?
Free admission applies to the garden only. If you want to visit any of the neighboring palaces, halls, etc., you will have to pay a separate entrance fee.
Is Christmas at Kew any good?
Christmas at Kew is a magical light trail through Kew Gardens, the perfect winter evening event. We drove to Kew and paid for the car park so we entered through the Brentford Gate entrance. We found the one-way path very easy, with Kew Gardens staff marking the way.
Is Kew at Christmas good?
There’s plenty for children to enjoy at Kew at Christmas. What child doesn’t love twinkling lights and being transported into a festive mood? Mine loved the lights, but there’s more to children at Kew at Christmas.
What is the best month to visit Kew Gardens?
In May, Kew Gardens comes alive (literally) and the bluebell blooms are particularly popular with visitors; but the summer months are perhaps when Kew Gardens are at their most beautiful.
