The Poetry Society

Photo: Teacher Kirsten Slinger with Alice, Fareedah and Elijah from St Mary of the Angels Primary School, Westminster at the tree felling ceremony in Oslo on 18 November 2011

Look North More Often: The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree 

We frequently hear how Christmas has lost its true meaning and become instead a consumer-led shopping frenzy, but one stand-out event on 1st December put the magic back into Christmas and reminded everyone present of the true value of giving.

It was a cold and damp Thursday evening on Trafalgar Square, but still the crowds gathered to witness the lighting-up of the imposing Norwegian spruce which is gifted to London each year from the Mayor of Oslo. The tradition first began in 1947 as an expression of gratitude for British support in the Second World War and continues today as a symbol of Anglo-Norwegian friendship.

Poets (Chrissie Gittins, David Harmer, Lindsay MacRae, Cheryl Moskowitz and Coral Rumble) and schoolchildren have been following the progress of the giant spruce tree at each stage of its journey - from its felling in the Norwegian forests on the 18 November 2011, to its arrival at the Lincolnshire port of Immingham, and on to Trafalgar Square. An extensive education project placed poets in 12 primary schools, encouraging new writing inspired by the gift of the tree. Roger McGough then drew inspiration from the children’s work to create a new poem, Roots, which is displayed on a banner around the tree in Trafalgar Square from 2nd December 2011 until 4th January 2012. Three children - Alice, Brando and Dylan - from St Mary of the Angels Primary School in Westminster performed Roger's poem for the first time at the lighting up ceremony.

To read a selection of poems written by children in the 12 primary schools, please click on the links below:

• Our Lady of Dolours Primary School, Westminster
• Rosary Primary School, Camden
• Drayton Park Primary School, Islington
• St Mary of the Angels Primary School, Westminster
• Kentish Town Primary School, Camden
• Perrymount Primary School, Lewisham
• Grafton Primary School, Islington
• New North Community School, Islington
• Edward Wilson Primary School, Westminster
• St George's Hanover Square School, Westminster
• Hargrave Park Primary School, Islington
• Allerton Primary School, Lincolnshire

A free poetry resource pack for teachers is available.

For more information contact Hilary Davidson, Projects Officer projects@poetrysociety.org.uk or call the Poetry Society on 020 7420 9880.

Read more about the project's history here.

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