A public Christmas tree in Glasgow has been tragically fenced off – but people are taking a stand with tinsel
Meet the tree that everyone (well, everyone in Glasgow anyway) is talking about.
Seriously @GlasgowCC ?? You’ve gone health&safety overkill. Not very festive! #shawlands #christmastree pic.twitter.com/dILm3gO0dk
— Gem (@MadamGemz) December 14, 2016
The notorious caged Christmas Tree of Shawlands. It would look better without the fence ….. pic.twitter.com/Tl7ZPZX54d
— Mhairi Hunter (@MhairiHunter) December 15, 2016
The Christmas tree, in the Shawlands area of the city, has been “caged” in, on the traffic island where it stands. Which does rather affect how festive it looks, we have to admit.
The tall metal fence is because of “a healthy and safety issue”. But some residents are pretty disappointed by its lack of Christmas spirit and have vented their feelings on the community council’s Facebook page. Dorothy Boyd, for example, branded the tree “hideous”. Ouch.
But if one good thing has come out of this tragic tale, it’s the Twitter account someone has made for the tree – @shawlandstree, if you’re wondering.
Just watching the traffic go by from behind bars. ?#FreeTheTree
— Shawlands Xmas Tree (@shawlandstree) December 15, 2016
The tree really is having a tough time.
The start of another long cold night in captivity. ?#FreeTheTree ?
— Shawlands Xmas Tree (@shawlandstree) December 15, 2016
But there’s a little bit of entertainment to help the tree through this ordeal.
If I lean to the left I can watch telly in a flat one up on Pollokshaws Rd through the window. It’s the little things that get you thru. ?
— Shawlands Xmas Tree (@shawlandstree) December 15, 2016
It is unacceptable that a visitor to our great city should be locked up without a fair trial. We call on @FrankMcAveety to #FreetheTree
— Southside Festival (@ssidefestival) December 15, 2016
Support @shawlandstree! #FreeTheTree https://t.co/rWwdFITcTC
— Whats On Glasgow (@WhatsOnGlasgow) December 15, 2016
And things are looking up for the fir. People have decided enough is enough, and have started to put decorations on the fence.
I ? @shawlandstree #FreeTheTree pic.twitter.com/FfrCs7mLgb
— Sparkleytinselmonkey (@Sparkle__Monkey) December 16, 2016
Yaaaaasss!!
Thankyouthankyouthankyou!! ??
Who else is coming down to decorate this miserable fence? ?? https://t.co/aTmv3ZHaAT
— Shawlands Xmas Tree (@shawlandstree) December 16, 2016
It’s all because contractors are concerned about the risk of a member of the public coming into contact with mains electricity if they climb over the railing.
We have faith the fence will look festive yet.
