Dobbies Garden Centres in Swindon has launched its annual Community Christmas Tree campaign, working with Needlefresh to give away five Nordmann Fir trees to schools and nurseries within a 20 mile radius of the store. Applications opened on Thursday 1 October and close at 5pm on Thursday 5 November.
A spokesperson for Dobbies said the real trees, grown in environmentally managed fields in Scotland, offer excellent needle retention and make a strong focal point for festive celebrations. A spokesperson for Needlefresh echoed the sentiment, adding that the scheme showcases the quality and care that goes into every tree. Winners will be told by mid November and will collect their trees at the store's Charity Christmas Shopping Night on Thursday 26 November, an evening of entertainment and fundraising for Alzheimer's Research UK. Dobbies will also hold a Christmas Preview Evening on 15 October with extended opening hours and seasonal offers.
It is understood that five trees for an area covering dozens of schools and nurseries represents, mathematically, a lot of disappointment and very little fir. Early estimates suggest the odds of success are roughly on a par with getting a parking space outside the Brunel Centre on a Saturday.
Headteachers have reportedly begun drafting application forms with the solemnity usually reserved for Ofsted self-evaluations, emphasising community impact, sustainability credentials, and the emotional needs of Year 2. One school is said to have appointed a Tree Liaison Officer. Another has formed a subcommittee.
"I'm not one to gossip," said Brenda Pask, 72, of Old Town, who has lived there since before it was old, "but I hear the primary on the corner's already put a laminated sign up saying 'Christmas Tree Appeal, Watch This Space', like they're expecting a royal visit. In my day a school got a tree because the caretaker had one in his garden and couldn't be bothered to dig it up again. Nobody filled in a form. Ron's school had a plastic one from 1962 that smelled of static."
Gary Tench, Area Manager at Tench Paper Solutions in Westlea, said the scarcity model had given him ideas. "Five trees, unlimited schools, that's basically our printer toner situation," he said. "I've suggested we sponsor the sixth placed school ourselves, branded, 'Tench Paper Solutions presents A Reasonably Nice Shrub'. Julie from accounts says it sends the wrong message. I say it sends exactly the right message, which is that somebody cares, within budget." He added that he had written a short acoustic number called 'Fir Enough', which he hoped to perform at the Shopping Night if invited, or even if not.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on 5 November. A Dobbies spokesperson confirmed the five winning trees would be, in every respect, trees.