Rookies at elite Marines base forced to remove Christmas tree amid health and safety concerns – ‘It’s ridiculous!’
Royal Marine recruits at a prestigious training base in Devon were ordered to remove their festive 20ft Christmas tree after it was deemed a health and safety risk.
The towering pine, complete with decorations, had been installed by recruits at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone.
A civilian facilities manager at the base demanded the tree’s removal, citing fire safety concerns over the impressive tree which had been strategically placed to span multiple floors of the base, extending up a stairwell.
Military commanders at the facility were reportedly pleased with the recruits’ festive whimsy, with a source telling The Sun: “It was huge and placed where it could go up a stairwell and decorate a couple of floors at the base.”
“Their military bosses were pretty impressed at their efforts, as the tree was epic and looked great.”
However, despite the positive reception from military leadership, the civilian facilities manager determined the decoration was a safety risk.
The decision sparked frustration among the recruits, with many making “Grinch” comments when ordered to dismantle their holiday display.
The recruits undertake one of the world’s most demanding military training programmes, completing a gruelling 36-week course.
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Their training includes a challenging 30-mile march across Dartmoor and a night-time cliff assault.
“They were angry and bemused,” a source revealed to The Sun.
“It is ridiculous.
“These are recruits on one of the toughest military training courses in the world who are being trained for war zones, yet they are subjected to all sorts of health and safety rules,” the source continued.
The source added: “The tree was supposedly a fire risk and blocking an exit, but if you can yomp 30 miles across Dartmoor, I am sure you can get round a Christmas tree to find your way out in a fire.”
A Royal Navy spokesman addressed the situation, saying: “The tree was blocking a fire exit, so had to be moved. It now has pride of place outside.”