West Yorkshire Christmas tree branded "embarrassing"
Calderdale Council says the tree is too large and old to reach the top of it
Last updated 9th Dec 2021
A Christmas tree in West Yorkshire has been branded "embarrassing", because only the bottom few branches are decorated.
The structure in Bailiff Bridge is a naturally-growing tree, and Calderdale Council says it has become too big and old this year to safely put decorations at the top.
Local Conservative councillor George Robinson, though, believes it "doesn't bring the festive cheer."
Cllr Robinson told Greatest Hits Radio: "It's not exactly what we need following a torrid year with Covid.
"Bailiff Bridge is a great historic place. A tree like that shows a complete lack of ambition. it doesn't exactly get people excited for Christmas. It doesn't really send a good impression to other areas.
"The tree is not just a tree. It represents Christmas; loving your neighbour, being with family, opening presents around the Christmas tree. You wonder why the Council even bothered really.
"Our decorations make the Trafalgar Square tree look inspirational. Now Londoners share our pain. Calderdale has been suffering from Grinch-sponsored Christmas tree decorations for years. Calderdale didn't understand the assignment."
Officials say next year, they will consult with local community groups to suggest alternative trees.
Cllr Robinson adds that the Council has a "historical and systematic problem" of Christmas trees he believes are "woeful."
He claims it's an ongoing problem, with "baubles all over the place" on the Halifax Christmas tree in 2019.
In Hipperholme in 2020, the "lights looked like they'd been thrown on," he adds.
Cllr Jenny Lynn, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, said: “We provide Christmas trees and decorations across Calderdale to bring some festive cheer to our towns and villages, and we wish all our residents a very happy Christmas.
“The tree in Bailiff Bridge is a naturally growing one, which remains in place all year round and is now several years old. We have decorated the tree this year, like we have in previous years. As the tree has grown significantly larger over time, and due to its location, it is no longer safe or accessible to decorate the highest sections of the tree, as they can’t be reached by any maintenance vehicles. Therefore, this year we are only able to decorate the lower branches.
“Next year we will ask local community groups to nominate another, more easily accessible tree, for a much fuller decoration.”