This company replants your Christmas tree – then rents it back to you every year
Instead of being left to turn brown and die on the side of the road, Green Tree Glossop will give your Christmas tree new life - collecting and replanting it for use the following year
A Christmas tree company in Glossop is offering ethically-minded customers replantable trees that can be rented back year after year.
Christmas trees at Green Tree Glossop are grown in special pots planted directly into the ground, meaning they can be replanted at the end of the festive period
The company gives you the option to choose a tree, which it delivers to your door in time for Christmas.
It then collects the trees back in January, replants them in the ground, and looks after them all year – ready for you to rent back year on year.
Image: Green Tree Glossop
This means that people can rent a tree year on year that literally grows with their family, with some even naming their trees for that added personal touch.
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As well as offering a sustainable tree rental service, Green Tree Glossop also provides dedicated tree care advice to ensure the tree stays at its best throughout the season and can be successfully replanted for the following year.
Fake snow and glitter are a no-no, as is pruning – which can lead to infection. Renters are also advised to water their tree daily and keep it away from any heat sources to avoid killing it before it can be returned to the ground.
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It’s a no-brainer for anyone trying to have a more sustainable Christmas this year.
Image: Green Tree Glossop
The company stock a range of different trees, including popular varieties like Norway Spruce, Blue Spruce, Nordmann Fir, and Fraser Fir, uploading pictures of all trees to its shop for customers to choose from.
First established in 2019, the family-run business offers a Christmas tree delivery service in Glossop and to its surrounding villages.
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Delivery is limited to a small radius as driving too far adds to the carbon footprint, undermining the environmental benefits of replanting trees in the first place.
In previous years, customers from further afield have been able to collect their trees in person – although it is not clear whether that service will be available this year due to Covid-19.
Pictures of this year’s trees are currently being taken, ready to be uploaded to the shop for ordering. To find out more, visit the company’s website here.
A Christmas train in Wigan has been delivering donated toys galore
Thomas Melia
Yuletide wishes have come true as a donation of toys and goodies have been delivered via a Christmas train in Wigan, right in time for the big day.
The Amazon toy train, which is a new initiative running this festive season, is dropping off presents from now right up until Christmas day itself.
Already visiting Wigan earlier this month, the locomotive has its sites set on three more stops including London, Swansea and Scotland as it makes its journey across three nations.
In partnership with Multibank’s Brick-by-Brick project, the train hopes to provide and offer gifts to families in need across the UK with Wigan marking the closest stop off in Greater Manchester.
Credit: Lee Boswell (supplied)
All the toys that are being transported across the country in this Amazon-fronted train are featured on the company’s ‘Top Ten Toys 2024’ list.
Hatchimals, Screamerz and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza were some of the exciting gifts found on the Christmas train in Wigan at the start of this month.
This lighthearted and fun-filled Christmas-themed project is kitted out with toys from top brands like Play-Doh and the brickmasters themselves, LEGO Star Wars.
So far, Multibank has helped over 400,000 families and provided three million essential items across their operations in England, Scotland and Wales since launching in 2022.
This collaborative local project doesn’t just operate at Christmastime either: Brick-to-Brick Multibank run all year round collecting surplus business requirements like furniture, hot water bottles and hygiene products to be used by those less fortunate.
The Christmas train in Wigan filled with Amazon’s top toys.The Wigan toy train features some well known brands.Credit: Supplied
This roster of children’s favourite companions and interactive games is inspired by the consumers themselves. Every toy is related to or the exact match of what Amazon customers have been searching for the most. A real Christmas list come true.
The list of the top toys isn’t extortionate either, offering customers some affordable and still as fascinating options with prices starting from £9.99.
Even old-school classics like Play-Doh have a spot on this wish list. This poses the really big question: where’s the adult version?
You may have finished your Christmas shopping not too long ago or might still be looking for inspiration, browse the top-ranked teddies and more HERE.
The Pogues announce Manchester gig on first tour since death of frontman Shane MacGowan
Danny Jones
The Pogues have announced their first UK tour since the death of former frontman, Shane MacGowan, with Manchester one of just half a dozen cities chosen.
Nearly a full year on from his death at just 65, the Anglo-Irish favourites best known for their eternal Christmas classic, ‘Fairytale of New York’, are gearing up for their first outing since their iconic lead singer’s passing as a celebration of his life and their seminal second album.
It’s been 13 years since their last headline tour shortly before their split and it will be 40 years since the release of Rum Sodomy and the Lash by the time they hit the road along with special guests.
Safe to say it’ll be an emotional series of shows for everyone involved.
The Pogues return in 2025 for their first UK Tour since 2012 to celebrate 40 years of Rum Sodomy & the Lash Ft James Fearnley, Jem Finer, Spider Stacy & special guests. Tickets go on sale 9:30am Fri 22 Nov. Sign up at https://t.co/PxhZ8bnwBA by 5pm on 19 Nov for presale access ⚓️ pic.twitter.com/hFACjdf7yc
Revealing just six shows here in the UK, the long-standing band are set to play their sophomore release in full as well as a selection of their greatest hits.
The tour will feature remaining original members James Fearnley, Jem Finer, and Peter Richard ‘Spider’ Stacy, as well as a series of support that are yet to be confirmed.
Speaking on the upcoming dates, The Pogues said: “After the uproarious bash which was the 40th anniversary of our first record, Red Roses for Me, in 2024, we wanted to do it again, but with Rum Sodomy & the Lash.”
The music veterans are remaining tight-lipped about who they’re bringing along but they have promised their selections have been “thoughtfully chosen”.
With MacGowan, lead guitarist Philip Chevron (2013), bassist Darryl Hunt (2022) and long-time collaborator Kirsty MacColl (2000) now having passed away, the band will be roping in plenty of help on vocals and instrumentation.
Even though the gigs themselves will be coming at the of next spring, you can rest assured you’ll get to hear your beloved festive ballad.
Kicking off the tour in Leeds, The Pogues will play their first Manchester show in over a decade – and without Shane MacGowan front and centre – at the O2 Apollo on Wednesday, 7 May 2025.
Georgina Pellant -
23rd November 2021 
