Yorkshire Shepherdess and Yorkshire Vet stars help give York family honour of providing Christmas tree for 10 Downing Street

A family business from York will provide the Christmas tree that stands outside 10 Downing Street in December after a competition which included some of the region’s top television stars as judges.
Peter Wright and Amanda Owen judging the competition.Peter Wright and Amanda Owen judging the competition.
Peter Wright and Amanda Owen judging the competition.

York Christmas Trees, of Wigginton Road, was crowned Champion Christmas Tree Grower of the Year and best Spruce Norway tree category today.

Meanwhile, the winner of Champion Festive Wreath is Welford Christmas Tree Farm in Northamptonshire, which will provide the wreath for the door of the Prime Minister’s residence.

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Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen, star of Channel 5’s Our Yorkshire Farm, joined Peter Wright from The Yorkshire Vet were special judges.

Peter Wright and Amanda Owen are special guest judges in the BCTGA competition along with Toby Ryley, Wreath Judge, Heather Parry head of BCTGA, and Head Tree Judges Stuart and Jennie Kirkup.Peter Wright and Amanda Owen are special guest judges in the BCTGA competition along with Toby Ryley, Wreath Judge, Heather Parry head of BCTGA, and Head Tree Judges Stuart and Jennie Kirkup.
Peter Wright and Amanda Owen are special guest judges in the BCTGA competition along with Toby Ryley, Wreath Judge, Heather Parry head of BCTGA, and Head Tree Judges Stuart and Jennie Kirkup.

They joined Stuart Kirkup, of Dartmoor Christmas Trees, in Devon, who won the main prize last year, while Toby Ryley, of Friezeland Farm, Leicestershire, led the wreath judging, as the 2019 winner in that category.

Best Container Grown Tree Winner was Andrew Stenton of Billingley Christmas Trees Ltd, Barnsley.

Oliver Combe, of York Christmas Trees, said: “We are a small local family business who have been growing trees for over 20 years.

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"We are overwhelmed to have won the title of champion grower for 2020, it is a huge accolade.

Peter Wright and Amanda Owen dressing a Christmas tree as special guest judges in the competition.Peter Wright and Amanda Owen dressing a Christmas tree as special guest judges in the competition.
Peter Wright and Amanda Owen dressing a Christmas tree as special guest judges in the competition.

"We are hugely greatful to our family and those who work with us, as they have made this possible by all their hard work over the years."

Best Spruce Norway runner up was Neil Wright, of Newsholme Christmas Trees, Goole, and Mr Stenton of Barnsley also got runner up in the Best Fir Nordmann round.

Organised by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA), the annual competition has been running since 1999 but this is the first time it has been judged by celebrities because growers could not get together as usual due to Covid-19 restrictions.

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Heather Parry, managing agent for BCTGA, which is now run by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said: “We were delighted by the number of entries, particularly as competitors couldn’t attend in person, we have certainly set solid foundations for it to be an even bigger next year.

"The quality and the amazing scent of the trees on display was incredible; this is truly the Oscars for Christmas trees.

"It was heartening to hear also that many growers are selling more trees than normal, as consumers plan ahead to have a real Christmas tree as the centrepiece of their home this year”.

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