London Is City Of Christmas Trees

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 December 1950, Page 8

London Is City Of Christmas Trees

The coming of Christmas is probably more obvious in London than in any other town in Britain. Shop displays are on a more ambitious scale and there are more Christmas trees and decorations in Railway Stations, in streets and squares, than in many towns. Every main line station, for example (and there are a dozen of them) is decorated at Christmas time with messages of welcome, and many of them have their own Christmas tree in the middle of the concourse. In London itself there are at least three main centres where the crowds gather, and each again has its, own Christmas tree. Of the three,-—by St. Raul’s Cathedral, on the steps of St. Martin-in-the-Fields and in Trafalagar Square—the last is probably now the most popular. Here there stands each Christmas a vast tree given to London by the people of Norway, its boughs festooned with coloured lights and draped as if with snow. Floodlights from the top of neighboring buildings are trained on the tree and the two fountains beside it, and thousands of people crowd the Square, bringing their children to admire the tree and listen to the carols sung round it by Norwegians in national dress.

Further east, in the City, there is another impressive tree standing on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral. This one (and one inside the building) is given by King George VI. The Cathedral is decorated inside in traditional fashion with evergreen and hanging velvet tassels, and gifts brought by children are hung on the tree inside the building and later taken to hospitals. CAROL SERVICES.

Carol services are held every night during Chrismas week in many of London’s churches. St. Martin-in-the-Fields (now miles from the nearest field!) is one. Here is usually a Commonwealth and United States gift tree bearing gifts from friends overseas. In 1949, for example, there were official representatives from Australia, the Union of South Africa, Canada, New Zealand and the United States at the Church for the lighting of the tree's illuminations. > The big department stores compete with each other in Christmastide display. This year one store had, over a month before Christcas. 22 Christmas trees each 25 feet (nearly eight metres) high running the length of its facade. Each tree was decorated with 100 flashing coloured lamps while in the centre was a tableau showing Father Christmas in his sleigh being drawn into the store by four reindeer. „ London’s 750 "Darby and Joan Clubs run by the Women’s Voluntary Services for old folk over 60, have been holding sales of work to pay for Christmas parties. In one club each man will receive a handkerchief as a present, and each woman two—but each handkerchief will be hand embroidered with the recipient s initials by an old lady of 70, who, by Christmas, will have embroidered 200. Competitions are being held among all the London Clubs for the best Christmas Decorations made by members, and in all clubs there will be a specially large and tasty tea on Christmas Day, in most cases with an entertainment given by local peoPle IN THE HOSPITALS.

For London hospitals, Christmas is the most important time in the year. For weeks beforehand there is the making of decorations, the rehearsing of concert parlies. Christmas Lay itself begins with the Nurses moving through the wards in double lile with swaying lanterns singing carols; there are hanging stockings nllea witn I presents by the children’s beds, and the wards, bright with scenery showing snow scenes or figures out of pantomine, are filled with sound of bursting Christmas crackers. Father Christmas, bearing gifts, tours the hospital, visiting each ward; and each patient receives a present from his own ward sister. Each ward, too has its own tree laden with presents. The doctors, in fancy dress, visit the wards and cause great amusement. Later, perhaps, comes the Mayor ol the local borough in his robes, with hospital officials. Dinnner is at midday with turkey and Christmas pudding, and there is usually a good deal of fun when the senior doctor proceeds with his carving duties. In the afternoon there are visitors, and after tea, ward parties. In the evening there are entertainments in the wards, usually organised by outside helpers. For the nurses, Christmas Day is as busy as any other day, but in at least one London Hospital each nurse Is presented with a posy of violets which she wears throughout the day. Dinners and dances for the domestic staff, nurses, and doctors, are held during the days after Christmas. In all wards there are flowers, cut and in pots, and perhaps white-washed holly; while outside the Maternity wards of some hospitals there are huge stuffed storks to stand sentinal throughout Christmas. Tailpiece: And as usual there will be a special Christmas Day swim across the Serpentine lake, in Hyde Park, by hardy members of the Serpentine Swimming Club!