Date issued: 11 December 2020
Colchester Borough Council has installed a 15ft Christmas tree, which has been donated by a local resident to help spread a little extra festive cheer this year.
The tree was donated by Mr and Mrs Canham from Tiptree, Colchester and will form part of the Christmas 3D Flower Bed display in Castle Park, in front of Colchester Castle, and decorated with lights for the duration of the festive period.
Mr and Mrs Canham said: “We were planning to remove the tree and contacted the council to see if they were able to make use of it for Christmas. We were very pleased when they said yes. Hopefully the sight of the tree and lights will help lift everyone’s spirts, in what has been a very difficult year.”
Two rooted Christmas trees will join the donated tree to form the festive display. These trees, one 12ft and one 6ft, will also be decorated with lights. One additional 6ft rooted tree with lights will be by the entrance to Museum Street. In January, they will be replanted in one of our parks, allowing them to continue to grow ready to be used for the Christmas celebrations in 2021, helping the council further reduce its carbon footprint and having a positive environmental impact.
Cllr Martin Goss, Colchester Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Waste, Environment and Transportation, said: “I’d like to thank Mr Canham for so generously donating a magnificent tree to help mark the festive season in Colchester. This has been a difficult year for many residents, which makes the celebrations we have over the Christmas period especially important.
“I’d also like to say thank you to the East of England Co-op for its £100 donation and Castle Ward Councillor, Cllr Simon Crow, for a £500 donation from his Locality Budget, which enabled us to purchase the three rooted trees.”
Page last reviewed: 11 December 2020