Festive celebrations in Cirencester have encountered problems this month, as council workers started dismantling the town's Christmas tree.
Townsfolk watched in dismay as the tree was stripped back, branch by branch with a chainsaw from the bottom up. Council land manager Jamie Walton told the local newspaper that a large 25ft split had been noticed in the trunk and scaffolding had been erected immediately to dismantle the tree for health and safety reasons.
He commented, "We've had to cut it down in sections because obviously we couldn't just chop it down in the middle of Market Place on a busy Friday, especially when its market day."
All is not well North of the Border either. South Queensferry has been forced to replace the town Christmas tree, which has traditionally decorated the roof of the registrar's office, with a 3ft tall shrub because of "health and safety." The replacement, bereft of any decorations, is barely visible from the street.
Council officials said that, following a visit by its health and safety inspectors, the size of the tree has been "scaled back" in case the roof collapses. Terry Airlie, secretary of the Queensferry and District Community Council, said, "The Christmas tree has been on the roof for years. It is the focal point of the year. So much effort goes into it in terms of raising money locally to do these sort of things. To see a Christmas tree like the new one is somewhat disappointing."
Locals are also concerned that the town's Christmas in Queensferry Festival, an event organised by the community and sponsored by local businesses, will be affected. Festively named Chairman Keith Giblett commented, "We are very disappointed with the tree given to Queensferry this year." His view was echoed by local conservative council Kate MacKenzie, who described the new tree as "pathetic."
A City of Edinburgh Council spokeswoman defended the move. "Due to how the tree could be safely secured, the size had to be scaled back. The roof is not designed to support a tree of a larger size. Were a suitable alternative location to be identified for next year by the local community, the Council would provide a larger tree."
