Things won’t be as merry and bright in Ryde this year as the Town Council has decided to reduce the amount of festive lighting and Christmas trees in the town.
A decision was made at a meeting on Monday night – without the consultation of residents – to cut back on the lights and Christmas trees placed in and around Ryde.
It’s said that the town council spent almost £40,000 on star lighting but the majority of it has failed after just 2 years – somewhat unusual for commercial grade lighting.
The Town Council’s Lisa Dyer said the festivities this year would be at a huge cost for the council as virtually all of the equipment needs replacing. As a result, the facilities and assets sub-committee has decided not to buy more, especially so soon after buying the last load.
Instead, it has been proposed that floodlighting could be placed at St Thomas’ Church with other, second-hand lighting focused on Union Street and Cross Street.
In previous years, trees at St Thomas’ Square and Town Square had been vandalised with baubles removed and smashed. However, it is unclear if these trees will be removed or reverted back to simply not having baubles as in previous years.
It has been agreed that certain areas of the town, such as the square by the Co-op, will be improved with lighting and features to provide photo opportunities.
Options are still being investigated and a working group has been set up to explore new ways of delivering festive lighting. It will report back to the Town Council with its recommendations.
Do you expect anything better with Phil Jordan on the town council. He is only on it to feather his own nest, and by all accounts he is a very nasty little individual as well. I think an investigation needs to take place into why commercial grade lighting failed after only 2 years, maybe they were bought on the cheap and cheerful and lied about the cost to the local residents who are never consulted about anything this lot do.
Does it not make sense to cut back on lighting, we complain when the council spends money on frippery then moan when they do not put up lights, would you like a tax increase to pay for the electricity bills, no of course you wouldn’t.
I’d rather they spend none of my money and get none of my money.
They’re only cutting back cos they wasted £40,000 on crud without a decent warranty.
Ryde last..that was cheerful Phil’s message wasn’t it?..
Quite right too. I resent paying for something that mindless individuals think is ‘fun’ to destroy. Trees and baubles cost money, plus time and effort to put up. And shouldn’t we be helping to achieve net zero anyway – oh wait – Liz Truss is in charge now, so more fracking and oil exploration are on the way very soon. You have been warned!
Net zero will never happen, get real. We are not the only country in the world, we cut back and others will not.
Whatever happened to the spirit of Christmas? There was a time when it was about celebrating the birth of Santa, not stupid lights.
I think its terrible.
It might possibly be the numptys that were born and bred here too as they are not the nice individuals that they are made out to be.
Ryde town council seem very good at buying broken things
I’m sorry, everybody, but it won’t just be Ryde. It is all over the United Kingdom, as councils cut spending on energy due to costs. In Winchester it is paid for by Winchester BID, so we may be spared, so you’ll all welcome to come to us.
We will just go to towns where the Council are willing to support the Christams Spirit. You wont see me go to a town at Christams if it bares not no Christams lights. Looks like the local Council do not want any Christams shoppers or anyone spending their Christams cash in town. Way to go Council.
Terrible news Ryde needs Brighting up and please tell me where all council tax money is going never see road sweepers or workers cleaning streets no police round Ryde so what are we paying for
You obviously dont get up early enough, the street cleaners are there everyday at 5.30am and before the rains they were out watering all the beautiful flower displays daily too
Perhaps the failed Xmas lights were bought at the same place the failed water pump for children’s splash pool came from!!
Ryde is a dreary place any how, unclean and unloved, Xmas lights don’t improve it!