Prime Ministers and sporting stars all share Christmas tree celebrations as family mark 25 years of bringing festive firs to the Midlands.
This year will be the 25th year since Croft Christmas Trees, in Postern Road, Tatenhill, run by the Robinson family started adding yuletide joy to the area with its real Christmas trees, wreaths and mistletoe.
The family business, which is open every day from Saturday 22nd November, specialises in anything from 4ft to 20ft trees from the mountains of Wales and Scotland using the same pre-cut festive firs that adorned Downing Street last year.
Having supplied thousands of Christmas trees to local families and businesses over the years Ivor and Jayne started their venture in 2000 when their children Sam, 27, and Shannon, 24, were only babies. Ivor travelled over 55 miles with his tractor and trailer to bring 65 trees to sell from their family home and the tradition has stayed ever since.
Ivor, who donates a tree to Burton Queen’s Hospital each year and works with St Giles to support the TreeCycle Christmas tree recycling scheme, said: “I no longer collect the Christmas trees with the tractor, but we have carried on the same traditions and ethos with which we started the business. The idea started when the kids were only very young and has really grown with them. It is lovely to see how much joy the trees have brought not only to our family but others as well.
“There is nothing like the smell of a real fir tree in the house at Christmas and it is lovely to have been able to add some Christmas sparkle to town businesses as well as sharing happy memories with families who come back year on year as part of their festive traditions.”
Extending into a neighbouring field in 2020 the small family firm now sell more than 1200 trees as well as fresh Christmas door wreaths, handmade decorations and mistletoe to spruce up neighbouring homes and businesses including town football club Burton Albion, home of England football St George’s Park, Repton School, pubs and Parish Councils.
The Croft Christmas Trees stock five varieties of traditional trees; Norway Spruce as well as Noble Firs, Nordmann Fir, Lodhe Pole Pines and Frasier Firs all known for their excellent needle retention helping to keep them looking fresher for longer.
Most of the trees come from Evergreen Christmas Trees, in Wales, which was crowned Champion Christmas Tree Grower of the Year 2024 and had the honour of providing the festive fir for Downing Street.
Every customer receives a glass of sherry and mince pie to get in the festive spirit while choosing their tree with Ivor, Jayne, Sam and Shannon on hand to net and provide advice on how best to care for their new fir to prevent needles dropping. Trees are individually priced depending on variety, height and general appearance. More information is available at www.thecroftchristmastrees.co.uk
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