XMAS TREE CHOPPED

Town loses festive cheer & funding

CRUMLIN won’t be rocking around the Christmas tree this year after the council axed its festive plans.

Residents were up in arms after hearing there will be no traditional tree or lights in the town.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council made the decision to cut the number of trees from 22 to four for budgetary reasons. It agreed to continue trees and switchon events in Antrim, Ballyclare, Glengormley and Randalstown.

On Monday night, the council voted against a motion asking it to reconsider its position and include Crumlin in the funding pot. Sinn Fein Councillor Anne Marie Logue said she was “absolutely devastated” by the decision.

She added: “There is no reason why they could not fund this for Crumlin.

“There are five main towns in the borough, we have a similar population to Randalstown and all the other four towns received Christmas tree and light funding. Crumlin was the one they decided to exclude for no reason.”

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council said a review found its spend on Christmas events had increased to £460,000 per year and they agreed to half it.

It added a budget of £18,000 was then made available to groups who wish to arrange their own festive events.

Council cuts its spend