UK
Birmingham’s German Market to give away hundreds of Christmas trees
Citizens and charities are being invited to take a little bit of Birmingham’s festive market home with them as part of a Christmas Eve giveaway.
After the popular Frankfurt Christmas Market closes on 23 December, around 300 trees used to decorate the market will be made available for people to collect for free.
Anyone or any charity still in need of a tree for their home or base will be able to collect trees from a special compound outside the Apple store, on New Street, between 8 am and 5 pm, on Christmas Eve (24 December).
Market organisers have also invited teams from local charities, homeless shelters and women’s refuges to take trees to their bases or centres, to help deliver some festive cheer in time for Christmas Day.
Last year around 60 trees were handed out to people in need, but this year five times’ as many are set to be given away to local residents and good causes.
Cllr John O’Shea, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Parks at Birmingham City Council, said: “I think it’s great that the organisers of the Frankfurt Christmas Market will be giving away some of the many Christmas trees used to decorate this year’s event. The best thing to do with any item no longer needed or wanted is to try and re-use it, and what a great way to bring some festive cheer to families and people in need over Christmas.”
Kurt Stroscher, Director of Frankfurt Tourism and Congress GmBH, which brings the market to Birmingham, added: “The tradition of Christmas trees started in Germany and is something that many families now look forward to at Christmas. Last year we decided that instead of just recycling the trees, they could be re-used first by giving them to families and charities in Birmingham, in the spirit of spreading joy and goodwill at Christmas
Trees can be collected on a first come, first served basis from outside the Apple store on New Street, between 8 am and 5 pm next Tuesday.
