There once was a majestic, beautiful tree in a quaint English village.
It stood tall and grand in a little park.
It once showed so much promise – so much promise, in fact, that local authorities attempted to decorate it.
And that's where it all went wrong.
A tree in Bailiff Bridge, England that should have been a bright, shining light on the village turned into a sad failure of a Christmas tree.
The authorities responsible for decorating the tree slapped on a measly two rows of lights round the bottom and then decided to stop there.
Photograph: SWNS
According to Calderdale council's cabinet member for public services and communities, Jenny Lynn, it was unsafe to decorate the entire tree "as they can't be reached by any maintenance vehicles."
Ever hear of a ladder?
"It's Elf and Safety gone mad," said the local Conservative councillor George Robinson. "It is clear that it is the worst Christmas tree in the north. When I saw the tree, my heart went into my stomach, the Christmas spirit left my body – I was just left with a Scrooge-like feeling. The lights go a third of the way up the tree, there are two stray baubles on there, clearly a token gesture: in some ways, you wonder why the council bothered."
According to The Guardian, locals hoped the tree would bring joy and festive cheer to the village– especially during the pandemic.
But instead, it has left villagers feeling rather gloomy.
"A Christmas tree is not just a tree," said Robinson, "it is what it represents, it embodies ambition, excitement, being with family and friends, it is much more than a tree – I think that is the point. Especially after Covid, people want to look at a tree and be excited.
"Some people have said we would be better taking our own Christmas tree and plonking it in the park. It would certainly bring more joy to residents than that shambles, which is up there."
In an attempt to soften the Grinch vibes and offer some good news, the Calderdale council promised locals they can choose a new tree to decorate in the village in 2022. Annyyyy tree they want! Yippee!
"I think it is important that Calderdale council put this bah humbug attitude behind them so we can move forward, so next year Bailiff Bridge gets the best Christmas tree, the Christmas tree it deserves," said Robinson.
