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Family-run business wins No 10 tree competition

Evergreen Christmas Trees, based near Clun, provided the Downing Street Christmas tree

A family-run business that won a national competition to supply the prime minister's Christmas tree said seeing it outside No 10 was "fantastic".

Sir Keir Starmer hosted the festive lights switch-on outside his Downing Street residence on Monday.

Staff from Evergreen Christmas Trees, near Clun, travelled to London to see their prized Nordmann fir lit up.

Employee Stephen Reynolds said it looked "fantastic", adding "it's exactly what we would've wanted".

"We had a reception afterwards, a tour of Downing Street, and it was quite an incredible experience, if I’m honest," he told the BBC.

Stephen Reynolds A man and a woman are standing in front of the door to 10 Downing Street. There is a large fir Christmas tree to their left, covered in decorations. There is a large wreath on the door of the building, with a red and white ribbon trailing down from itStephen Reynolds
Stephen Reynolds said it was "fantastic" to see the tree lit up in front of No 10

Mr Reynolds, who has been growing trees for two decades, said Sir Keir wanted to know more about the tree when they spoke.

"That tree, for example, would've been 18 years-old, and grown right on the border… just in Shropshire," said Mr Reynolds.

"It's going to be seen by thousands of people in the next few weeks."

The business also supplied other trees, including one for inside No 10, and another for inside No 11.

Reuters Sir Kier Starmer and his wife are standing at the door of 10 Downing Street. Sir Kier is pressing a button which turns on the Christmas lights. To their left is a large fir Christmas tree, covered in lights, as well as red, gold, silver and purple decorations.Reuters
The tree will be seen by thousands over the coming weeks

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