Magic Roundabout Christmas tree becomes a festive flop (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Magic Roundabout Christmas tree becomes a festive flop
8:00am Monday 8th December 2008 in
CHRISTMAS cheer turned into a big festive ‘oh dear’ after Swindon Council’s attempt to put up a giant tree on the Magic Roundabout splintered before workmen’s eyes.
Attempts to line the huge tree into position at the centre of the town’s iconic landmark hit the buffers because it was too tall to sit in its concrete base.
A 40ft tree had been ordered by Swindon Council – but one 49ft tall was delivered instead.
It's the tree one - Swindon nil. It's very disappointing
Swindon council play and landscape officer Dave Hunt
Workers still tried to accommodate its height, but when it was lowered into position, the wooden structure inside the base snapped, halting the operation.
Traffic flowed the conventional way round the roundabout in one big loop for several hours yesterday morning as a crane was shifted into position to lift up the tree.
“We don’t fail, but we have today,” said the council’s play and landscape officer Dave Hunt.
“It’s the tree one – Swindon nil. It’s very disappointing.
“We wanted to keep the tree in all its glory.
“But the overall height meant we couldn’t get it upright enough to get it to pivot and drop into the base.
“Its weight pushed the wooden socket down and damaged it.”
The Christmas tree was returned by lorry to the Waterside depot in Cheney Manor and another attempt to erect it will be made later this week.
It means tonight’s planned Christmas lights switch-on at the site has been postponed.
Swindon Council leader Rod Bluh, the man behind the ambitious plans, was told of the failed operation by the Adver.
He said: “This is very disappointing news. The tree is sponsored and all ready to be put up but I guess these things happen. I will do what I can to get it sorted out as soon as possible.”
Passers-by were less than impressed when they found out the tree wouldn’t be put up.
“Nothing fails to surprise me in Swindon at all,” said Simon Andrews, 29, of the town centre.
“You would have thought an operation of this size would have been planned well in advance and to the smallest detail.
“It’s a shame for Swindon it won’t be going up. Let’s hope they come back, have another go and be successful.”
Henry Lewis, 24, of Old Town, added: “It’s unbelievable it can’t go up today. But when it does I’m sure it’ll look pretty good – although I hope it’s not too distracting for motorists.”
Comments(47)
fairdos
says...
8:13am Mon 8 Dec 08
Mum's The Word
says...
8:19am Mon 8 Dec 08
Nostim
says...
8:27am Mon 8 Dec 08
SockPuppet
says...
8:28am Mon 8 Dec 08
fairdos wrote:.....or saw 9ft off the bottom maybe?
No wonder Swindon is a laughing stock. Why even attempt to put up the tree if it was 9ft longer than the one ordered?! It should of gone straight back to where it came from and they should of waited until the correct height tree was delivered. Talk about make work for yourself!!!!
Oh well no great loss they'll be able to put it up next week.
flicky
says...
8:34am Mon 8 Dec 08
Taffynut
says...
8:40am Mon 8 Dec 08
Mum's The Word
says...
8:51am Mon 8 Dec 08
Taffynut wrote:Having seen the tree itself yesterday, I know that it will not look like a shambles. It is a superb tree. I am happy to pay council tax towards it personally. I get angry when I have to pay council tax for things like removing graffiti and vandalism, but not for something like the Christmas tree. I am sure once it is up it will look brill and I am glad we have a councillor leader who made the decision to put it there.
WAtch it Tax Payers !!!! you and I will foot the bill. As I previously said it will be a hazzard, it looks like it will be shambles and another attempt to erect it will cost us double. Those workmen are paid overtime to erect it, so let's gang up and stop the rise in Council Tax.
concerned_of_old_town
says...
8:53am Mon 8 Dec 08
Once xmas is over I would like to see the momentum from this continue and possibly have some kind of permanent sculpture there!
Mum's The Word
says...
9:01am Mon 8 Dec 08
ItsPavAgain
says...
9:23am Mon 8 Dec 08
Now, I'm no fancy tree surgeon, but couldn't they have cut 9ft off the bottom?
A Tax Payer
says...
9:26am Mon 8 Dec 08
I'll let you know when i get the invoice.
bricksnblocks
says...
9:30am Mon 8 Dec 08
ItsPavAgain wrote:They could've cut it off but they dont collect green waste in December
"A 40ft tree had been ordered by Swindon Council – but one 49ft tall was delivered instead." Now, I'm no fancy tree surgeon, but couldn't they have cut 9ft off the bottom?
A Tax Payer
says...
9:31am Mon 8 Dec 08
SBC Christmas party at Arkells brewery has been cancelled. No-one was available to comment but sources have indicated that no-one in SBC could organise one, allegedly.
Mum's The Word
says...
10:05am Mon 8 Dec 08
PeeveD
says...
10:17am Mon 8 Dec 08
flicky wrote:Oh I See....!!!!
What a SHAME! But no doubt success will follow soon.
Just because this tree isn't "famous" it seems to be okay to carve the poor old fella up, drape it in gaudiness and allow it to die a slow painful death is it?
Yet more shocking hypocrisy.
still an oldcrone
says...
10:20am Mon 8 Dec 08
Donkey
says...
10:37am Mon 8 Dec 08
docklander2
says...
11:15am Mon 8 Dec 08
http://www.swindon.g
ov.uk/environment/wa
ste/householdwaste/h
wrcwebcam.htm
SockPuppet
says...
11:22am Mon 8 Dec 08
docklander2 wrote:I bet that isn't doing it any good!!
Follow the link to see tree ????
http://www.swindon.g
ov.uk/environment/wa
ste/householdwaste/h
wrcwebcam.htm
Bobfm
says...
11:41am Mon 8 Dec 08
SockPuppet
says...
11:54am Mon 8 Dec 08
Bobfm wrote:Sky hooks silly!
I was actually wondering how they were going to secure the guide ropes which would have been necessary to keep it in position.
ItsPavAgain
says...
11:54am Mon 8 Dec 08
flicky
says...
12:15pm Mon 8 Dec 08
PeeveD wrote:I was trying to get a positive slant on the mishap. I could have said that this incident was typical of SBC but don't you think, Mr PeeveD , that it might be better to look for the positive instead of more moaning about the town, which, you must admit, is not a difficult thing to do?
flicky wrote: What a SHAME! But no doubt success will follow soon.Oh I See....!!!! Just because this tree isn't "famous" it seems to be okay to carve the poor old fella up, drape it in gaudiness and allow it to die a slow painful death is it? Yet more shocking hypocrisy.
You should know as it appears that you are yourself a Councillor. If councillors can't look for the positive then why are they representing us? (Oh, yes, and the Save Coate enquiry draws ever nearer...interesting to have your reaction to my harmless remark, isn't it? especially with the latest news about UWE and North Star site).
PeeveD
says...
12:28pm Mon 8 Dec 08
PeeveD wrote:Not answering the direct point really is the work of a Cllr... wouldn't u agree?
flicky wrote: What a SHAME! But no doubt success will follow soon.Oh I See....!!!! Just because this tree isn't "famous" it seems to be okay to carve the poor old fella up, drape it in gaudiness and allow it to die a slow painful death is it? Yet more shocking hypocrisy.
And for North Star... read Red Herring!
Watch this space..........
A Tax Payer
says...
12:49pm Mon 8 Dec 08
PeeveD wrote:Red Herring eh? Ah i get it Swindon is at long last going to have a continental style fish market on the site of the old Clares building.....
PeeveD wrote:Not answering the direct point really is the work of a Cllr... wouldn't u agree?
flicky wrote: What a SHAME! But no doubt success will follow soon.Oh I See....!!!! Just because this tree isn't "famous" it seems to be okay to carve the poor old fella up, drape it in gaudiness and allow it to die a slow painful death is it? Yet more shocking hypocrisy.
And for North Star... read Red Herring!
Watch this space..........
Bobfm
says...
1:02pm Mon 8 Dec 08
PeeveD
says...
1:11pm Mon 8 Dec 08
Bobfm wrote:Where's the abuse?
Why do most threads have to descend into an argument or abuse.
And surely argument is the cornerstone of democracy??
But then I suppose that only counts in the world of "proper" political parties!
ItsPavAgain
says...
1:14pm Mon 8 Dec 08
Bobfm wrote:No they don't. Shut up!
Why do most threads have to descend into an argument or abuse.
Mick12
says...
2:17pm Mon 8 Dec 08
ItsPavAgain wrote:Double Time perhaps ?
I'm amazed they managed to find some council workers will to get out of bed on a Sunday.
yeti
says...
2:20pm Mon 8 Dec 08
i bet they were on double bubble to **** it up and all
ItsPavAgain
says...
2:31pm Mon 8 Dec 08
Mick12 wrote:I can guarantee it isn't "performance" related pay!
ItsPavAgain wrote: I'm amazed they managed to find some council workers will to get out of bed on a Sunday.Double Time perhaps ?
Always Grumpy
says...
2:52pm Mon 8 Dec 08
Failing that (in case locals residents have already nicked them) Coate have trees that will need clearing out soon - use one of them.
flicky
says...
3:50pm Mon 8 Dec 08
Bobfm wrote:I agree. my original comment was so bland as to be unmentionable but it has been picked up and questioned....why???
Why do most threads have to descend into an argument or abuse.
Some of the comments here are verging on the bullyish and should never have been published. I'm sure AG and Malkym feel the glow of success as they both launch into me, but I call it bullying.
PeeveD
says...
3:58pm Mon 8 Dec 08
flicky wrote:I'm sorry.... I still don't see the "abuse"....
Bobfm wrote: Why do most threads have to descend into an argument or abuse.I agree. my original comment was so bland as to be unmentionable but it has been picked up and questioned....why??? Some of the comments here are verging on the bullyish and should never have been published. I'm sure AG and Malkym feel the glow of success as they both launch into me, but I call it bullying.
Sensitive bunch of souls aren't we?
Always Grumpy
says...
5:40pm Mon 8 Dec 08
flicky wrote:Where did I launch into you? I was just trying to be helpful as no doubt you would be!
Bobfm wrote:I agree. my original comment was so bland as to be unmentionable but it has been picked up and questioned....why???
Why do most threads have to descend into an argument or abuse.
Some of the comments here are verging on the bullyish and should never have been published. I'm sure AG and Malkym feel the glow of success as they both launch into me, but I call it bullying.
Interestingly, security word tree-hike!
mickdp
says...
9:47pm Mon 8 Dec 08
they had Sponsers . At the same time i did mention about guy ropes . But if Council workers are putting this tall tree up what experience have they and who pays for there time. the mind boggles
Captain T
says...
10:06pm Mon 8 Dec 08
However, I do think it's worrying that council felt a few bits of MDF would hold such a tree
Captain Sensible
says...
10:24pm Mon 8 Dec 08
GOM
says...
8:28am Tue 9 Dec 08
flicky
says...
3:02pm Tue 9 Dec 08
Am I right?
Donkey
says...
4:12pm Tue 9 Dec 08
I take quite a bit of flak myself ... sometimes I bite, sometimes I think what's the point, but I don't like personal attacks the likes of which are increasing on here, it aint really necessary is it?
Your beliefs are sound, as far as I can see?
Swindon Local
says...
6:35pm Tue 9 Dec 08
flicky
says...
7:07pm Tue 9 Dec 08
flicky wrote:No answer, yet, Mr ******.
I suspect that you, GOM,have recently been posting under a more familiar name. Am I right?
Always Grumpy
says...
10:28am Wed 10 Dec 08
flicky wrote:Go on, name names!
flicky wrote:No answer, yet, Mr ******.
I suspect that you, GOM,have recently been posting under a more familiar name. Am I right?
Always Grumpy
says...
10:28am Wed 10 Dec 08
flicky wrote:Go on, name names!
flicky wrote:No answer, yet, Mr ******.
I suspect that you, GOM,have recently been posting under a more familiar name. Am I right?
Microlite
says...
11:37am Wed 10 Dec 08
Always Grumpy wrote:Hear! Hear! Yes don't be shy -reveal all ooh errr I mean of corse tell us who you mean?
flicky wrote:Go on, name names!flicky wrote: I suspect that you, GOM,have recently been posting under a more familiar name. Am I right?No answer, yet, Mr ******.
Microlite
says...
11:40am Wed 10 Dec 08
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Attempting to put the tree in place at the Magic Roundabout
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