‘What happened to tradition?!’ Locals fume as treasured Christmas celebrations replaced – ’It is very disappointing’

Locals have been left devastated after it has been revealed that Ware’s cherished Christmas lanterns will not return to the historic Hertfordshire town’s high street this festive season.

The traditional decorations, which have been a hallmark of the town’s Christmas celebrations for many years, have been discontinued due to safety compliance issues.

The significance of Ware’s Christmas lanterns was deeply rooted in local tradition, with the decorations serving as a cherished symbol of the festive season for the community.

Instead the town has been decorated with huge bear statues and various lights fixtures.

One upset resident told GB News: “The lanterns are a staple of the town decorations and I look forward to them every year. The world is always changing but the lanterns remain the same.

“I feel sad that the town has chosen big structures for photo opportunities rather than focus on tradition.”

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Another said: “When those lights come up, we know that Christmas is coming, the children get excited, and we get excited, and now it doesn’t look the same at all.

“It could be any high street. We want it to be individual.

“They were individual, and it was taken away. I’m sure people will be more than happy to add a few pounds to the council tax every month just to be able to get the lights back, it’s part of Ware and we’ve lost it.”

A third added: “I am really disappointed to see that they are not up.

“I have lived in Ware for 30 years, look at the high street; it is so bare. They have just stuck the stupid bear up.”

A fourth fumed: “I was not happy, I live on high street, so they’re normally outside my window. It would have been nice, I mean, it’s the tradition of Ware isn’t it?”

A fifth person said: “I was so disappointed. That is a highlight of Christmas I think in Ware, they are a bit different from the ordinary lights.

“I think that is very important and traditional to Ware and I would definitely ask the council to put them back up.”

However, a sixth person embraced the change and said the old lights were “very dated” and this is the start of a “new era” for the town.

Responding to the outrage, Mayor of Ware, Cllr Martin Butcher, said: “I am desperately disappointed that we can’t bring the Christmas lanterns back to Ware this year. I’ve always loved them and they’ve been a big part of my Christmas for as long as I can remember.

“I have argued for years on the Council that we have to keep them. But, we have to comply with modern safety standards.

“So, sadly, and to my great regret, we have to find a new way to celebrate Christmas in Ware.”