The dimly lit Christmas ’elf and safety tree
HEALTH and safety officials have banned decorating a village Christmas tree because it is too tall.
Only the bottom half of the natural pine in Bailiff Bridge, West Yorkshire, will have its decorations and festive lights hung.
The tree remains in place all year round and is dressed annually by Calderdale council, but bosses said it had grown “significantly larger” and it was no longer safe to reach its highest sections to place the lights.
The Labour-controlled council said it provided trees and decorations to bring “some festive cheer to towns and villages” but George Robinson, a Conservative councillor, said: “It’s a shambles – the worst Christmas tree in the North.”
Councillor Jenny Lynn, Cabinet member for public services and communities, said: “We provide Christmas trees and decorations across Calderdale to bring some festive cheer to our towns and villages, and we wish all our residents a very happy Christmas. The tree in Bailiff Bridge is a naturally growing one, which remains in place all year round and is now several years old.
“We have decorated the tree this year, like we have in previous years.
“As the tree has grown significantly larger over time, and due to its location, it is no longer safe or accessible to decorate the highest sections of the tree, as they can’t be reached by any maintenance vehicles.
“Therefore, this year we are only able to decorate the lower branches.
“Next year, we will ask local community groups to nominate another, more easily accessible tree, for a much fuller decoration.”
‘As the tree has grown significantly larger over time, it is no longer safe to decorate the highest sections’