A traditional tree has been put up on public display at a new location in Keswick town centre following last year’s festive foul-up.
More than 500 people signed a petition calling for the return of a real fir tree in Market Square after the controversial decision to instead decorate an ordinary tree permanently rooted near the moot hall at Christmas 2019-20.
That plan has been ditched and a giant Christmas pine is now standing opposite the Bank Tavern at the other end of Market Square to where one always used to be placed before last year’s ill-feted switch to a more environmentally-friendly option.
“It is the ideal place where it is now. It is the perfect spot,” said Keswick mayor Paul Titley, chairman of the town council’s events committee which organises the public festive display.
“As you drive into Keswick, you see a big illuminated sign saying ‘Merry Christmas from Keswick’ and the tree right by it. It is the best spot for it.”
This year’s Christmas tree has been relocated to the bottom end of Market Square because the previous position at the top became cramped when markets took place on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Last winter was the first time in living memory that Keswick had not had a traditional Christmas tree in the town centre.
Keswick’s Christmas illuminations switch-on, which was scheduled to take place last Friday, is usually a major event which draws a big crowd to Market Square, but had to be cancelled this year because of coronavirus lockdown.
It was due to have been carried out by Keswick first responders and St John Ambulance volunteers. Instead, there was a low-key switch-on at an undisclosed time to stop people gathering.
However, Mr Titley said: “Christmas hasn’t been cancelled. The lights will be on from the day we said they would be on — Friday, 20th November — until early January.
“Keswick will still look lovely while adhering to the COVID rules of hands, face, space. We want Keswick to look lovely to visitors and residents and all that watch it on-line — and it will.”
The illuminations will go on at 1pm every day but will be switched off at 10.30pm each night to tie in with COVID regulations.
