Trafalgar Square’s giant menorah dismantled due to high winds

High winds over the weekend forced the removal of Trafalgar Square’s giant menorah, altering plans for the first night of Hanukkah celebrations, City Hall has said.

The menorah, a longstanding symbol of London’s Hanukkah festivities, could not be safely reinstalled in time for Wednesday’s event, according to the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) and Greater London Authority.

A smaller 12ft (3.7m) tall menorah and a projection of “Happy Hanukkah” on Nelson’s Column will instead mark the beginning of the holiday, also called the Festival of Light.

The JLC said it was proud the menorah would stand alongside Trafalgar Square’s Christmas tree as “a symbol of London’s religious diversity”.