Why is Christmas tree still there?

A CHRISTMAS tree put up by Cardigan Town Council was still there months after the end of the festive period and people are asking why.

Residents in Cardigan have questioned whether the tree, which stands next to the town’s guildhall, could have been removed sooner, but the council has blamed Covid-19 restrictions for the delay.

To complicate matters further, a pair of nesting wood pigeons might have thrown a spanner in the works, meaning the tree has to stay in place even as lockdown measures begin to ease.

It is illegal to destroy or move wild birds’ nests under the 1981 Wildlife & Countryside Act, although there are exemptions.

But many people living in the town wonder why the problem has taken so long to fix.

One wrote on Facebook: “Delay the removal of the Christmas tree ....... It’s April for Christ’s sake. Let’s not blame the pigeons. Try blaming our local council.”

Another joked: “Cardigan (has) got a special variant of Covid?

“Every other place in the country has managed to get their trees down in January.”

But the council isn’t without its advocates, who claim that the Covid pandemic has caused the problem.

Responding to a critical comment, one person wrote: “It hasn’t been taken down because of Covid restrictions.

“Calling the local council lazy is the wrong thing to say.

“They along with other people worked hard to put smiles on the town’s community over the years and they should be appreciated not slated.”

The issue was initially reported by the Tivyside Advertiser.

It reported that town councillor Yvonne O’neill said: “Some people have said it’s good to have some greenery in town.

“And there are now woodpigeons in that tree – I myself have heard them.”

She added “(But) the tree isn’t green anymore. It’s turned brown and its needles are falling off.

“As far as woodpigeons are concerned, we will check things out before bringing the tree down.”

Councillor Richard Jones will supervise the tree’s removal, the town’s mayor Clive Davies said.

He added: “I’ve asked it (the tree) to be checked before they take it down.

“If there is a nest then the focus can switch to removing the Christmas lights for the time being.

“Going forward, Yvonne will then be able to keep an eye on the nest for the town council and work with the clerk in getting approved contractors to move the birds if necessary, according to the Wildlife Act.

“Yvonne has kindly agreed to look after the birds if there is indeed a nest.”