COUNCILLORS have once again given the go-ahead for a huge 35ft Christmas tree to be installed in Wellington town centre for the festive season.

Members of Wellington Town Council’s economic development committee agreed on October 14 to spend up to £900 on buying a tree from Connetts Farm at Dunkeswell.

Langford Lakes had supported the council over several years through the supply of Christmas trees for the town’s festive displays.

But the council’s facilities manager, Annette Kirk, said that due to the hot and dry weather, the trees at Langford Lakes were not achieving the height required for the principal High Street location.

Councillors heard that an alternative supplier had been found at Connetts Farm, while they agreed that two smaller 16ft trees could be bought for £400 from Langford Lakes and placed at the Well Christian Centre at Rockwell Green and the One Stop Shop at Tonedale.

Cllr Sean Pringle-Kosikowsky said: “I would like to see us as a council start growing our own Christmas trees – let’s sew some seeds for the future down the line.”

And Cllr John Thorne said: “Perhaps we should place on record our thanks to Langford Lakes for their support over the years.”

Councillors were delighted and thankful to hear that the main 35ft Christmas tree was being funded by a very generous donation from K. S. Coles & Family.

“This donation will reduce the cost to Wellington Town Council and demonstrates local business and community support for the town’s Christmas celebrations,” said Ms Kirk. “Appropriate recognition of the donation will be provided through promotional opportunities associated with the Christmas tree.”

Transportation of the Christmas trees to Wellington by Bridgwater-based Wheelers Transport will cost the council £2,136, while it will have to fork out a further £1,737.48 on having the trees installed by Somerset Council’s ground maintenance team.

The Christmas lights in Wellington will be switched-on on Saturday, November 28, and there will be events throughout the day from 10am to 7pm.

Traffic marshalling on the day of the switch-on will be carried out by members of the town council’s open spaces team.

The council’s Kings Arms Community Hub will be turned into a magical Santa’s Grotto for the festive run-up and it is expected that up to 170 children will visit to see the Father Christmas.

There will be no entry fee for children to see Santa, although the council will ask for donations.

And, just to show that councillors are not the Christmas party-poppers like The Grinch or Mr Scrooge, they also agreed on October 14 to spend £200 on gifts for children visiting Santa’s Grotto.

All funds for the festive season expenses will come from the council’s Christmas Cost Centre budget.

Just a reminder: there are only 70 days to Christmas Day itself and just 43 days to when the festive lights are switched-on in Wellington town centre!