Residents angered at size of Christmas tree

There has been public outcry after this year’s Christmas tree was erected in Ballyclare yesterday, with many residents taking to social media claiming that the tree is “too small”.

Commenting on Facebook, one annoyed resident said: “What a miserable specimen. Doagh and Ballyrobert have lovely trees. This is a town centre for goodness sake. I am disgusted.”

Another person hit out, saying: “What a disgraceful effort for Ballyclare! Would have been better not bothering putting a tree up, rather than that attempt.”

One man branded the tree “awful”. He said: “Absolutely awful! What has Ballyclare turned into? Have the councillors of this town got no respect for the town at all? Ballyclare really has gone on a one-way track downhill and they seem to be trying to wipe the town off the face of the earth with all these farcical decisions that they are making.”

Cllr David Arthurs has called on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council to replace the tree.

Speaking to the Times, he said: “When I saw the tree, I thought it looked tiny. No way is it good enough for the town. I have made my thoughts clear to the relevant officers at the council and have asked them to replace it.”

The UUP representative added: “It just isn’t good enough and it needs fixed. I hope council will rectify it. Ballyclare deserves better.”

The Christmas lights are set to be switched on at a special event in the town on Saturday evening.