A Living Christmas at Wakefield Kirkgate: Thanks to Our Volunteers, Northern Railway & Rooted

This festive season, our Station Adoption Volunteers have brought something truly special to Wakefield Kirkgate Station. Instead of a traditional cut tree, we’ve taken temporary ownership of a living Christmas tree provided by Rooted, and it has been a real highlight in our Community Gallery.

Rooted is a local initiative growing and hiring living, pot-grown Christmas trees right here in the Calder Valley - Todmorden to be precise! Their approach is rooted in sustainability: by keeping trees alive before, during and after the festive season, they dramatically cut down on waste and carbon emissions associated with transporting and disposing of cut trees.

After use, these trees don’t go to landfill: they’re nurtured year-round and eventually replanted into the landscape, helping with natural flood management and boosting local biodiversity. You can read more about Rooted’s sustainability work on their site here.

This project forms part of a wider scheme organised by Northern Railway where living Christmas trees are rented and displayed at stations along the Calder Valley line, including Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Halifax, for a second year running and we are thrilled to be involved. The trees are grown locally, replanted each year and cared for with long-term growth in mind, reducing environmental impact and celebrating greener ways to share the festive spirit with the wider community.

Our tree is now proudly on display in the Community Gallery from 9th December through to early January, and we couldn’t be more delighted. More than decoration, it’s a symbol of LonGBoaT's community and sustainability commitments, and connections that aligns with our work championing inclusive spaces for LGBT+ people and allies.

Thank you to our volunteers and everyone who’s shared a smile or stopped to appreciate the green festive glow.