PEOPLE may well wonder what a 10ft-tall fake tree adorned with a face and 100 international flags has to do with Croydon.
The answer is that it was one of a number of Croydon entries in the London New Year's Day parade, which together highlighted the theme "We Are Croydon: Going Places."
The tree represented the borough's greenness and the many cultures which call Croydon home.
Along with the other entries – which included iconic buildings such as the Clocktower, a couple of trams, and planes representing London's first international airport – helped Croydon gain a runner up place and a £2,000 award towards the Mayor of Croydon's charities, Age UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.
A total of 40 people took part sporting costumes designed and built by Brit School students, young members of Aspara Arts – a Croydon-based arts and heritage organisation – and local charity Sangeetha of the UK.
They were among 8,500 performers who had travelled to London from across the world to take part in parade which wound its ways from the Ritz Hotel in Piccadilly to Parliament Square.
The mayor, Councillor Manju Shahul-Hameed, said: "Croydon participants, including the volunteers, talented artists and the community, did a great job." in displaying and celebrating Croydon on the move."
