Festive cheer as more than 50 north Notts schools receive free Christmas tree

More than 50 schools across north Nottinghamshire got into the festive spirit by claiming a free locally-grown Christmas tree.
Students at Outwood Academy school in Worksop with the donated Christmas tree.Students at Outwood Academy school in Worksop with the donated Christmas tree.
Students at Outwood Academy school in Worksop with the donated Christmas tree.

The trees, provided by the Retford and Gainsborough Garden Centre, were available to all schools in the area – with 52 taking up the offer.

The response to the initiative by North Notts BID this year has been unprecedented, with four times as many schools requesting trees than last year.

Sally Gillborn, chief executive of North Notts BID, said: “We introduced this initiative for the first time in 2019, and the take-up this year has been overwhelming.

"When we first spoke with Retford and Gainsborough Garden Centre about working together on this, we anticipated around 15 or 20 schools being involved, so to have more than doubled that number is amazing.”

Not only does this initiative aim to bring Christmas cheer to local schools around the region, it also helps to support Retford and Gainsborough Garden Centre, which has welcomed the BID’s custom.

Sally added: “2020 has been a tough year for many communities across north Nottinghamshire.

"And we are committed to continuing to support those that need help to ensure that the district as a whole comes out the other side of the pandemic in the best shape possible.”

One of the schools that took part in the scheme is Outwood Academy Valley in Worksop.

Principal David Cavill said: “The smiles we see on our children’s faces when they see Christmas trees around the academy are priceless.”