When it looked like the residents of Southampton would be left in the dark this Christmas – a little magic, and legwork was required.
So local newspaper the Daily Echo asked local businesses to show some festive spirit and help them organise a 20ft tree and lights with the countdown to Christmas in full swing.
SSE was only too happy to play its part and a team of engineers was on hand to help lift the tree into place and get the lights up outside Southampton’s historic Bargate monument.
With just one week to go until the big day itself, a Christmas tree is finally sitting proudly outside Southampton’s historic Bargate monument, adorned with hundreds of sparkling lights that will be officially switched on by pantomime star Brian Conley tonight [Thurs Dec 18th].
Neil Rosam, Team Manager Lighting Services for SSE Enterprise, said: "SSE is more than happy to play its part in bringing a bit of Christmas magic to Southampton. The tree is quite big so we provided a team and cherry picker to install it, get the lights up and even an electrician to get it all switched on in time.
“Through our Be the Difference campaign SSE aims to make a positive contribution to the communities it serves. The project was a great example of everyone rallying around to get the tree up in time.”
With workers on the ground as well as up in the air inside cherry pickers, they were able to lift the tree from the lorry and gently lower it into the base in the ground in front of the Bargate. Using wooden wedges to secure it, there were then deep breaths as it was untied and allowed to stand unaided. The huge community operation to secure the 20ft tree has been six days in the planning following a rallying cry from the Daily Echo for help.
Local council leader Simon Letts added: “We’re delighted to see that the business community has come together to work with the council to bring the spirit of Christmas to Southampton. We congratulate the Daily Echo and everyone who has contributed, on all the work they have put in to make this happen.”