Tree-mendous delivery kicks off Christmas at Oxford Castle

Oxford Castle's Sarah Mayhew takes deivery of a giant Norwegian Spruce

Earlier this week Oxford Castle took delivery of one of the county’s biggest Christmas Trees this year when a 25ft Norwegian Spruce was winched into position by a one-and-a-half-tonne crane.

It took the team from S L Forestry and Oxford Castle most of the morning to plant the Spruce plus another fifteen traditional Christmas trees around the grounds of the historic visitor attraction in an operation that includes lowering the colossal conifer into position.

The arrival of the tree-mendous firs signalled the start of the Christmas season at Oxford Castle, which includes playing host to the crescendo of Oxford’s Unsilent Night parade, the staging of Empress Matilda’s dramatic escape from Oxford Castle in the 12th Century, musical performances at Oxford Castle – Unlocked, and holding Oxford’s one and only Christmas market.

The Christmas trees were delivered by S L Forestry, which owns a sustainable forestry near Kidlington. The firm, which plants a tree for every one that is cut down, will drive the huge cargo six and a half miles into Oxford by tractor in the early morning.

Director Steven Napier who founded the firm in 1979 said: “This is one of the biggest trees we’ll deliver this Christmas and as such it presents quite a challenge for us to put it in to position for the client.

“We chop down the trees on Sunday to make sure they arrive fresh but the delivery of a tree over 20 ft is a specialist job which requires careful handling.

“We need to use a large crane to deliver the 25ft tree and lower them in slowly and gently to make sure we don’t damage any of the historic castle walls.”

Events and Marketing Manager Sarah Mayhew (pictured) said: “The giant tree really does herald the arrival of Christmas at Oxford Castle, and all around our site the preparations are in full swing, with decorations, seasonal menus and party bookings all starting to appear at the many restaurants and bars we have here.

“With more activities happening at Oxford Castle than ever before this year, it’s one of the best places in Oxford to get wrapped up and come on over for some winter warmth and family fun!”

 

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