Hundreds of people turned out to see two players from England’s Red Roses rugby team switch on the lights of the Christmas tree in Clifton Village.
Sarah Bern and Lark Aitken-Davies who play for Bristol Bears Women’s team also named the 50foot Norwegian spruce tree as Rose.
The tree is decorated with 5,000 LED lights, 100 baubles, Christmas crackers, tinsel and 70 replica rugby balls.
“This year the tree honours the Red Roses rugby team,” said Tony Miles, who has been organising the switch-on of the Christmas tree lights for 19 years.
Before the lights were switched on in The Mall Gardens, singers from nearby Christ Church led thirty minutes of festive singing.
“This has become the most significant community event in Clifton Village each year,” said Tony Miles.
“People from all around Bristol and beyond turn up to see the biggest Christmas tree in the city.
“It’s amazing how news of the switch-on goes around by word of mouth as soon people see the tree being erected at the end of October. It’s so big that a crane had to lift the tree into position and scaffold was erected so we could decorate it.”
