Hucknall Christmas tree has mixed reaction

Gasps of surprise greeted the switch-on of Hucknall’s civic Christmas ‘tree’ lights at the town’s Carnival.
Hucknall Christmas lights switched on.
John Wilmot, Chris Baron, Hucknall Rotary president, Ian Young, Trevor Lock and the Rev. Kathryn Herrod after switching on the lights.Hucknall Christmas lights switched on.
John Wilmot, Chris Baron, Hucknall Rotary president, Ian Young, Trevor Lock and the Rev. Kathryn Herrod after switching on the lights.
Hucknall Christmas lights switched on. John Wilmot, Chris Baron, Hucknall Rotary president, Ian Young, Trevor Lock and the Rev. Kathryn Herrod after switching on the lights.

The contemporary creation has prompted a positive response by many after countless trees in the past were criticised for their lack of impact.

“It looks really sensational” was the comment of Steve Anderson, who lives on Hucknall’s Vaughan Estate.

It consists of an 8m-high metal mast with‘branches’ which make for a spectacular sight when lit up.

It was the decision of Ashfield District Council’s Hucknall Consultative Group to provide the tree on the Market Place as a two-year trial.

“The group wanted to offer something different,” said council leader, Coun Chris Baron (Lab), of Hucknall.

“It avoids having to cut down a traditional Christmas tree and the expense of buying one of these. There is no doubt that it makes a stunning impact at night.”

Sheila Robinson, treasurer of Hucknall Tourism and Regeneration Group, said: “I think the tree is lovely. It may not look particularly glamorous in the daytime but it has a brilliant effect in the evening.”

Janet Archer, of Specsavers on High Street, who organises the town’s annual Christmas tree festival, said the civic tree deserved full marks for originality.

Not all comments were favourable, however. One resident asked: “Doesn’t it remind you of a rotary clothes drier?”