It repeats itself every year. The criticism is aimed at the Norwegian spruce which is given in gratitude for the British efforts in the Second World War. The tree is glistening, there are no branches, it looks sad and frail. But now there may be an end to the tradition of cutting a tree in Oslomarka and sending it by boat and car to London. The mayor of Oslo wants a more environmentally friendly gift of friendship. – I will do everything I can to ensure that in the future we get a Christmas tree that we and the British can be proud of, and find solutions that take better care of the tree and reduce the climate footprint, writes Oslo mayor Anne Lindboe to news in London. – Does that mean that you are considering buying a local tree instead of cutting one in Oslo and sending it from there? – We will take a round in the political bodies in the spring about how we can do this better in the future. The only thing I am sure of is that we will find a good solution that will ensure that we adhere to traditions in the years to come. Criticizes the tree, but loves the tradition But most people news meets at the Norwegian Christmas tree appreciate the tradition. – It is very impressive, says ten-year-old Ned Wilkes. The Christmas tree gift from Oslo municipality is clearly signposted. Photo: Gry Blekastad Almås / news He has taken his mother with him to see this year’s edition after he learned about the history behind the Christmas tree gift at school. Oslo municipality has provided a tree from Oslomarka every year since 1947. Both Ned and his mother Elizabeth Wilkes think it would be a shame if the tradition ends, but understand the climate considerations. – It could be a good compromise if Norway buys a tree locally in the UK and gives it as a gift, says the mother. Tony and Yvonne Sheldon have come from the north of England to see the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square. Photo: Gry Blekastad Almås / news Many Britons travel from afar to see the Norwegian Christmas tree in London. Yvonne and Tony Sheldon have arrived from Sunderland. – I don’t think it will be the same (buying a tree locally). It’s nice to know that it comes from Norway, thinks Tony Sheldon. Same man behind the Christmas tree and James Bond The very first Norwegian Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square came there during the war. But until now it has been unknown that the author of the James Bond books, Ian Fleming, was the originator of the tradition. According to the biography Ian Fleming: The Complete Man by Nicholas Shakespeare, it happened after a damp evening on the town. Ian Fleming had the idea: Biographer Nicholas Shakespeare has found new information about the origin of the Norwegian gift of friendship. Photo: Gry Blekastad Almås / news When the Norwegian resistance fighter Mons Urangsvåg returned to London after a raid in Norway in 1942, his friend Ian Fleming invited him out on the town, writes The Times. They had a better meal at the Savoy Hotel just off Trafalgar Square. During the night it became clear that the Norwegian had brought two Norwegian spruce trees with him from Norway. The plan was to give one to King Haakon, who lived in exile in Britain during the war. There was no plan for the second tree. That’s when the man behind James Bond, Ian Fleming, suggested putting it in Trafalgar Square. And they did. This comes out in a note written by Admiral Norman Denning, who was with the company. The note was discovered at the Greenwich Maritime Museum in connection with the book about Ian Fleming. – Denning worked with intelligence together with Fleming, and can be trusted, says biographer Shakespeare to The Times. This year’s tree is in place in Trafalgar Square. On Thursday 7 December, the Christmas lights are lit. Photo: Gry Blekastad Almås / news Oslo mayor Anne Lindboe is excited about the new information. – It’s incredibly fun, and British intelligence operations must be taken seriously. The fact that Oslo is now getting a James Bond Christmas tree sent to London is cool. I actually thought that we needed something like that when we have Mission Impossible on the Pulpit. Thus, the tradition of friendship will probably continue, but perhaps not quite as before.
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Will reconsider the Christmas tree for London – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
