THE COUNTDOWN to Christmas begins officially for Londoners tonight, with the ceremonial lighting of the tree in Trafalgar Square.
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Just over two weeks ago, in a forest near Oslo, a Norwegian Spruce was chopped down and made its journey by truck and ship to London, where this evening it will be greeted by crowds and the Lord Mayor of Westminster, whose task it is to perform the lighting up duties.
Since 1947, the people of Norway have given us a Christmas tree in return for British support during World War II.
In 1940, when the Germans overran Norway, its King Haakon VII fled across the North Sea. While in exile in London, he set up a government and planned his return to his homeland.
In 1947, two years after the war and two days before Christmas, the first spruce was handed over and so began a tradition that is now at its 63rd tree.
Christmas celebrations on Trafalgar Square move up a gear from next Monday, 7 December, until 20 December, when there will be evening carol concerts. The tree comes down on the 12th Day of Christmas, 5 January.
