York BID add Magical Tree of Light to winter light display
The winter lights display in York has got a new feature this week courtesy of the York BID.
The winter lights scheme, which are coordinated by the BID in partnership with Make It York, already consist of 15km of lights which brighten the city throughout the festive period.
The new feature is a BID initiative, consisting of an additional 1km of LED lights, wrapping a single tree at the Eye of York. The installation uses the Twinkly ™ system which is at the forefront of Christmas light technology. Twinkly’s new generation of LED string lights are controllable via a smartphone and can display a huge number of effects which are completely customisable.
The installation is the first of this type in the UK. A total of 10,000 LED’s have wrapped the old oak to create a real wow factor. The BID will regularly change the effects on the tree and regular maintenance will ensure fittings are adjusted in line with the tree’s growth. The tree can be viewed safely from a distance, in line with current health advice.
The lights will also be used to mark important dates, for example the tree will be lit in purple on the 27th January; the national Holocaust Memorial Day.
Reyahn King, Chief Executive of York Museums Trust says “The Eye of York is an important historic location so it is wonderful to draw attention to it with through the Magical Tree of Light. The magical tree will add to York’s Christmas atmosphere right outside York Castle Museum’s Christmas Spectacular on Kirkgate. It all adds to the festive cheer so needed at the end of 2020.”
The Magical Tree of Light is the final part of a series of initiatives by the BID to create experiences for families and loved ones to share in the city during the festive period. They have already launched a ‘York Santa Search’ interactive app, a York Gift Card Advent Calendar & Lottery and the ‘Fantastic Fiction’ window displays on Davygate.
The BID are asking the local community to ‘Make a World of Difference – Support Local this Christmas’ and to visit city centre businesses while enjoying the attractions.
Andrew Lowson, Exec Director of the York BID says, “Our businesses really need support at this time. We’ve had fantastic feedback so far from our Christmas initiatives and on behalf of the business community, I’d like to thank people for continuing to support local.”