Although the short debate on the matter was light-hearted in nature, elected representatives were very understanding of the difficulties faced by council officers in sourcing the right tree, when there has been so much damage caused by Storm Éowyn and other weather events.
The stock of available trees is so badly depleted, councillors were informed, that the Council is considering purchasing artificial trees in the future.
Rathfriland’s Christmas tree resembles an overgrown bush
Watch: NI town set to celebrate Christmas in Georgian era style
UUP councillor Glenn Barr raised the issue, stating: “When the Christmas tree was delivered into Rathfriland, there was widespread public outcry.
“It wasn’t so nice, and I think some of the other members got a bit of slagging about it, and loads of messages as well and a few phone calls.
“Now, to cement my own thinking on this, I brought up three ‘marketeers’ who have done a bit of research. One was coming to (age) six, one was seven, and one was eight, and the three things that they said was: it was nice, it was bushy, it’s not very tall.
“And whenever we came up from the Banbridge Road and we saw this, we could hardly see the top of the Christmas tree with the cars parked there. I realise that it’s been a very bad year. We’ve had the storm damage to a lot of trees throughout Northern Ireland.
“So what I would like to ask is that we tick three boxes. If officers could go away, have a look, scour Northern Ireland, scour the Republic, scour GB or wherever, to see if they can tick the three boxes that the boys were asking for – nice and bushy, and tall enough to represent the people and the community of Rathfriland, and the young people.
“That is my ask, it’s nothing major, it’s just going and have a look, to see can they champion these boys and the wider community.”
Cllr Glenn Barr
DUP councillor Ian Wilson acknowledged the challenges faced by the council in sourcing a tree meeting traditional criteria, when there has been so much storm damage.
“I have to agree with Alderman Barr. I was inundated with complaints tagged on Facebook, messages and things, because with social media now people have an instant platform to complain,” he said.
“And yes, I have to agree with a lot of the complaints. The tree in Rathfriland was very miserable looking. But I have to thank Elizabeth [Reaney, director of Regulatory Services, Facilities & Assets]. She explained the problem with the storms throughout the year, and the problem in sourcing trees.
“It’s welcome that we’re getting a report in February to hopefully alleviate this ongoing problem, because it seems to be in this chamber the issue with Christmas trees is as traditional as turkey and ham, there’s always an issue.
“We just wanted to raise this issue and we don’t want to be here next year again, because people look at what other towns are getting, and it’s trying to be fair.”
Alliance councillor Joy Ferguson emphasised the need for consultation with all stakeholders in the market town ahead of the festive season.
She said: “I support what Councillor Wilson and Alderman Barr have brought. Very robust market testing there from Alderman Barr.
“I would only add that consultation with the traders and with Rathfriland Regeneration would be really important for next year, so that they’re happy with the tree, the location of the tree and the street lights as well. So, I just ask for some consultation with the people in Rathfriland on that.”
Cllr Joy Ferguson
Ms Reaney confirmed that sourcing good trees had been very difficult this year, in the wake of storm damage.
“We updated party leaders a couple of months ago with regards to the issue which has been outlined by some of the members tonight, around the storms and the issues, and as a Council I have to endorse Mark Halliday, the head of [Estates & Asset Management] department who went out to pick the trees this year, because of the pressure that staff were under to get the best trees,” she said.
“He was was one of the earliest Council [representatives] out to select. So we have certainly done our best as officers. We hope to bring a report back in February, and we will need to look at artificial trees and the options around that, and the costs around that.
“So certainly, bear with us until February or March time. We’ll review where we are at the moment and then bring a report back to you around costings of artificial trees. The situation will not be improving. So, I think we have to look at this.”