28 November 2023 , 13:45
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Residents have criticised a "shocking" Christmas tree planted by a council, which has now offered to replace it to appease unhappy local residents.
The "living tree" was put in place several years ago but hasn't thrived and now has several boughs missing - with those remaining looking very thin. The sad state of the tree prompted severe criticism from residents when they noticed workmen had decorated it in lights and put barriers around it on Monday morning in time for Friday's lights switch-on.
Jess Walker with Hattersley's Christmas tree (Men Media)Now, officials have promised to replace the 'living tree' with a cut one in time for the switch-on. Jess Walker, 35, assistant manager of a local pub, was taken aback when she saw the tree.
She told the MEN: "It's shocking. I run the pub opposite and we do lights and Santa grottos, everything. The only thing we don't do is a big Christmas tree because we don't have the staff to police something like that."
"I couldn't believe it when I saw it. It has a sign saying there's a big lights switch-on on December 1. Are they joking? What are they going to be switching on?" said the mother-of-two, whose mum Yvonne Myler is landlady of the Mottram Wood.
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"I'm not bringing my children to the switch-on of a twig of a Christmas tree. Kids wants to see something that makes them think 'wow!' don't they? The kids on this estate don't have much but we see they have lovely displays in Ashton and Hyde. We can't turn that on for the kids of Hattersley. It's shocking."
Officials have promised to replace the 'living tree' with a cut one in time for the switch-on. (Men Media)"I can get an 8ft tree down the road for £55. That's a proper bushy tree. What we've got I think is just appalling. It's just embarrassing. It makes us think they don't care about the estate at all. We have a bad reputation as it is and it just shows that they are not bothered."
After Jess lodged a formal complaint, officials have now promised a "cut tree" for Friday's lights switch-on. Councillor Jacqueline Owen responded to Jess's complaint on the Hattersley Community Group Facebook page, saying she had spoken to officials who had 'agreed to replace the planted one'.
"We've tried to grow a sustainable tree, sadly unsuccessfully. To be clear there isn't a budget the the Xmas event in Hattersley. The councillors with community groups work together to provide a Christmas market, Santa's grotto, entertainment and food for the community."
She added: "We are all happy to work with any interested parties to make it a better event. I don't believe there was ever any intention to put up a new tree. This has only happened because we as a community have come together to speak up about it."
A spokesperson for Tameside Council said: "It's a living tree which has been in place for a few years. A cut tree will be supplied for the Hattersley Christmas Lights switch on before it takes place on Friday (1 Dec) from 4 to 8pm. We are seeking sponsorship to replace the living tree and will seek a different species to help it thrive in this location."
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