Are these Britain’s worst Christmas decorations? Locals slam town’s skinny tree with no baubles or decorations that ‘looks like a beanstalk’
Red-faced residents smashed their town's skinny tree without any baubles or decorations, saying it looked like a 'beanstalk'.
Locals in Willenhall, West Midlands, were left furious at the festive atmosphere in their town after their Christmas tree looked gloomy underneath decorated.
The spindly 20-foot tree was placed on the Lock Worker's Memorial at a busy intersection next to a liquor store and a row of takeaways.
It was installed by Walsall Council at the end of last month but failed to make an impression as it only had a string of lights dangling from a few branches.
The 'pathetic' attempt at the Christmas tree has angered locals who say it makes the town's residents look like cheapskates.
Patricia Walton, 75, said: 'It's absolutely pathetic, it's getting worse every year, smaller and smaller.
Locals in Willenhall, West Midlands, were furious at the festive atmosphere in their town after their Christmas tree looked gloomy under the decorations
Patricia Walton, 75 (pictured), said: 'It's absolutely pathetic, it's getting worse every year, smaller and smaller'
'Walsall are just as bad, Darlaston are bad, but they might as well not have bothered to put one on.
“They didn't even let the kids decorate it this year, and I don't see people coming to see this.
'There are no Christmas baubles or tinsel on the tree either. It should be slightly smaller and much bushier. It looks more like a beanstalk than a Christmas tree.
“A few years ago they let the kids do it and decorate it. If they paid for that tree, it's just a waste of money.”
Resident Darren Rowe, 25, said: 'It's a bit of a joke to call that a Christmas tree.
'You hardly get into the festive mood. It's tall, but not particularly decorated. It is a shame.'
Councilor Simran Cheema, who represents Willenhall South, said the skinny tree was a 'shadow' of the tree on display last year.
She said: “My biggest disappointment and frustration with the council is that we have had a bigger and better tree in recent years.
'It attracts people to the city and creates a festive feeling. It used to be outside the Wetherspoon. It was right in the center and everyone could see it as they drove by.
Resident Darren Rowe, 25, said: 'It's a bit of a joke to call that a Christmas tree'
The spindly 6-metre-tall tree was placed on the Lock Worker's Memorial at a busy intersection next to a liquor store and a row of takeaways
Walsall Council defended the tree, saying they were using 'more sustainable' spruce this year
'It's tucked away in the corner and they moved the location without consulting the ward councillors. It's actually a bit of a disappointment, people expected better and we've had better in recent years.
'The Christmas Grinch has taken over our festive spirit.'
Walsall Council defended the tree, saying they were using 'more sustainable' spruce this year.
Deputy councilor Adrian Andrew said: “This year the council has replaced the majority of felled Christmas trees with planted trees which are a more sustainable option.
'Every effort has been made to provide trees of a similar size and the lighting is consistent with previous years.
'In some cases it has been necessary to change the location of the trees because planted trees cannot be installed where there are underground services or where ongoing maintenance is not feasible.
“The council is keen to support the community's transition to events and this year was no exception.
'Where we have been approached to time the switching on of the lights around a community organized Christmas event, we have done so.'
Elsewhere in town, Saddlers, a small shopping center in Walsall, a bare sled sits next to a small tree.