Locals fuming with council’s measly Christmas tree decorated with just solar-powered lights

Locals have been left fuming after a council decorated their town’s Christmas trees in solar-powered lights – and nothing else.

Pontypool Community Council said it was up to residents to drape the trees in tinsel, baubles and any other decorations they so wish.

In October, the council decided to replace traditionally cut Christmas trees with 16 living trees, which they said would make the festive season more sustainable.

The local authority added that they may even run a “Best Decorated Community Tree” competition.

The move has been criticised by many for the potential environmental impacts on the area, with some concerned the tree could be used as a site for litter and that animals could be in danger due to potentially dangerous decorations.

Giles Davies, independent councillor for Abersychan, said: “I don’t want to sound like a Scrooge but my concern is what happens when the decorations blow away?”

Davies shared photos of one of the trees, with many of its muddled decorations now lying on the floor.

“How is this good for the area, wildlife, pets and children,” he wrote.

CHRISTMAS IS CANCELLED:

• Farmers’ Christmas food shortage warning to Labour as tractors to descend on Westminster
• Christmas festival to take place in APRIL after event ‘rescheduled’
• Christmas dinner costs surge by inflation-busting 6.5% – full list of most expensive items

In one image, he is holding a smashed bauble with a sharp edge.

“If you do any research you’ll see that decorations affect wildlife, noise from tinsel can put birds off going to an area and it can be dangerous to dogs,” he added.

“What happens if a dog or a hedgehog eats the decorations or someone puts glass on there? What monitoring is taking place, I don’t think it’s been thought through.”

Davies has slammed the council for not providing cut Christmas trees and critiqued the positionings of some of the trees.

He told The Telegraph: “It goes against the Christmas spirit. People have been through austerity and the cost of living crisis, and kids and pensioners alike just want a bit of Christmas joy.

“They are like the Grinch. They have stolen Christmas.”

Pontypool Community Council leader Councillor Gaynor James said she didn’t want to respond to comments made by Davies.