Today, St Pancras International officially unveiled its much-loved Christmas Tree, tolight up the station and bring festive cheer to those who see it!
This year, the station is partnering with charity The Prince’s Trust to provide a platform from which the cause can spread messages about their important campaigns to all who visit.
The finished design which is kept secret until it’s unveiling on Tuesday the 22nd of November, this year takes inspiration from the London skyline of which the station has been part of since its opening in 1868. As a Grade 1 listed building it is the architecture, features, lines and shapes of places like St. Pancras which make London one of the most recognisable cities in the world.
The attention to detail throughout is as breath-taking as the overall structure itself, which stands tall at an impressive 33ft so that the crowning details of the tree can be taken in by those on The Grand Terrace.
The style of hand illustration was inspired by a 1955 production of Twelfth Day of Christmas, a British production of Edwardian Britain, showing the chaos which ensued from receiving all 364 gifts from The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Featuring terrace houses, church yards, department stores, ferris wheels, bridges, concert venues, skyscrapers, towers and monuments there is plenty to take in while visiting the station.
The tree adopts a lighting design inspired by house tealight decorations, exuding warm amber light, and filling the viewer with an instant cosiness. With building windows of all shapes and sizes acting as a viewing portal to typical Christmas scenes within. There are Christmas classics to discover throughout the multi-layered tree and each angle tells a different story.
In a nod to the Twelve Days of Christmas, look out for Maids a-milking, French hens and plenty of Lords a-leaping!
As the UK contends with the rising costs of living while still navigating the lasting effects of the global pandemic, the iconic London destination has decided to partner with The Prince’s Trust, following a series of internationally recognised installations with global brands such as Tiffany & Co and Disney.
The Prince’s Trust is on a mission to provide the support desperately needed by many young people across the UK. The charity helps tens of thousands of young people each year to build their confidence and provide them with the skills they need to realise their potential. As a result of the charity’s work, three in four young people on a Prince’s Trust programme graduate into successful education or training.
Throughout the festive season, visitors to St Pancras International will be able to learn more about the work that The Prince’s Trust does to support young people to gain confidence and skills for work, as well as pledge donations that enable the youth charity to carry out this essential work in communities across the UK. If you would like to give a young person hope for their future this Christmas, visit The Trust’s Just Giving page.
Wendy Spinks, Commercial Director at HS1, said: “The unveiling of our Christmas tree is a magical moment in the festive calendar! We’re delighted to partner with The Prince’s Trust on this year’s tree to celebrate a city and community which we each serve. Welcoming to London tourists, both domestic and international and showing them a snapshot of what this great city has to offer. We hope Londoners who see the tree are filled with a sense of nostalgia and it inspires them to continue exploring. ”
Jonathan Townsend, UK Chief Executive of The Prince’s Trust, said: “As the economic climate continues to change around us, young people in the UK today are facing a unique set of circumstances, impacting their education, employment, and wellbeing. We hope that the generous donation of the tree by St. Pancras International will not only raise awareness and crucial funds for The Class of Covid but will inspire more of the public to give their support to ensure young people across the UK can take control of their lives and build a positive future.”
Gaby Roslin, Prince’s Trust Ambassador and broadcast presenter attended the launch of the St. Pancras International and The Prince’s Trust tree, commenting: “I’m thrilled to be able to unveil the St. Pancras International and The Prince’s Trust Christmas tree for 2022. The show stopping tree marks a great partnership that will help to raise awareness of the work The Prince’s Trust does to support young people facing greatest adversity to reach their potential. Reeling from the effects of the pandemic and now facing a cost-of-living crisis like no other, young people need our support more than ever!”
The in-station campaign will highlight the charity’s Class of Covid campaign, and act as a demonstration of solidarity and beacon of hope to the estimated three million young people in the UK who feel anxious about their future on a daily basis.
