Christmas decorations old indeed

I read Liz McDonald’s front page story (The Press, Dec 22) with interest. The festive decorations are indeed old and worn. They were bought by the city council in 1991 after the World Youth Festival (in 1990) when the council also introduced the city’s banners, which were (also) along Harper Ave. The first banners were designed by art students at Canterbury University.

The Christmas decorations came from the English manufacturer of the Christmas Lights in Regent St London and were a wonderful addition to the inner city. They were made with lights that sparkled at night and hundreds of families came to see them and enjoy their beauty. Unfortunately they were not well stored or maintained. Many of the lights were broken and subsequently removed, leaving only the frames, which are what we see hanging from lamp posts now. Vivienne Allan Mt Pleasant

Missed opportunity

It was an enjoyable, albeit all-toobrief, visit to my old home town, Christchurch, this past week. But where are all the Christmas decorations? I appreciate money is tight in these pressured times and, thus, moderation is key.

That said, a few coloured baubles hanging off The Chalice in Cathedral Square (in lieu of the expense of a super-tall Christmas tree) and a fullscale lighted nativity scene proximate the front portals of the now-derelict Christ Church Cathedral would have made for a fantastic (and highly reflective) addition to an otherwise muted canvas. (A raised viewing platform thereabouts replacing the existing visually obstructive fencing is surely a no-brainer.) And what a boon for local tourism.

Alas, an opportunity gone begging. John Shone Havelock