Trinity’s famous Christmas tree in Front Square was lit up this evening by Trinity Club, a club run by Vincent de Paul for adults with intellectual disabilities. The event began with a recital by the Trinity singers, which brought the hustle and bustle of Front Square to a standstill, as students, staff, and tourists alike gathered in front of the 1937 Reading Room. The event was two weeks earlier than previous years due to Trinity’s revised term structure, but the crowd was was still eager to get into the festive spirit with some notable Christmas jumpers worn by those in attendance. There were complimentary servings of mince pies and warm drinks for those willing to brave the queue into the Buttery.
Provost Patrick Prendergast began with a brief speech, welcoming those to the “traditional start to the festive period, in the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Front Square”. The Provost thanked the catering department for providing mince pies and mulled wine to those in attendance, as well as the Trinity Singers. The loudest cheer during Prendergast’s speech arrived when he asked that those who helped themselves to refreshments to recycle afterwards.
The Provost announced that members of the Trinity Club would light the tree and Prendergast also took the time to commend them for their charitable work, which drew what he called “a deserved round of applause”.
During the ten second countdown, the tree lit up eight seconds early, drawing laughter from both the audience and Prendergast. “We’re always ahead of time here in Trinity College”, he joked. The Provost concluded the evening by wishing the entire College community an enjoyable evening as the end of Michaelmas Term draws near.