Town in Milton Keynes 'disappointed' go without its traditional Christmas tree this year

For decades a huge, brightly lit tree has brought in to decorate The Square in Wolverton.

But this year Wolverton and Greenleys Town Council have decided to miss out the tree, though the rest of the area will be decorated with Christmas lights.

They blame their decision on the cost of the tree and the fact that they wanted to save trees from being "unnecessarily cut down."

Many residents are not happy at all, though some said the lack of a tree would at least prevent the Covid risk of people gathering around it.

"Of all the years when we could do with some light and something to walk past, this is it. So disappointing to hear this," wrote one member of the town's We love Wolverton Facebook page.

Another wrote: "If it is a cost associated thing surely they could have at least consulted the community and maybe alternative suggestions could have been made for The Square....I'm sure the community could have maybe sourced a donated tree or sourced an alternative decorative piece to be in its place."

But one man tried to put the problem in perspective. "People are being admitted to hospital daily and people are dying from Covid-19 and you are worried about a Christmas tree not being up The Square. I think you gotta think about priorities, what’s really important. Think about all the people who will be in hospital on Christmas Day due to Covid-19 this year."

A spokesman for the town council said: "There will not be a tree in The Square this year due to the high costs of the tree and to save trees from being unnecessarily cut down. There will however be Christmas lights in The Square."

Meanwhile in neighbouring Stony Straford the Christmas Lights Switch-On, normally a major annual event, has had to be cancelled due to Covid regulations.

The town is still displaying Christmas lights, however, and is selling lantern kits to people to make and display at home in lieu of it traditional and popular lantern parade event.

Newport Pagnell similarly has had to cancel its switch on event and street market, which attracts thousands of people every year. But the Christmas lights are up and will still be lit.

Father Christmas, normally the key figure at the switch-on, has put a special message on the town's social media page to assure children he has "special clearance" to make it to their home on Christmas Eve.