CHRISTMAS cheer in Williton could be cancelled next year after vandals decimated the village's festive decorations. The traditional display at Bellamy's Corner suffered a series of attacks following the grand switch-on of lights on the ten-foot tree nine days before Christmas. And now parish council chairman Eddie May is warning that, unless the culprits come forward or the names of those responsible are passed to the police, the civic-owned corner will be left bare in 2006. "The parish council tries each year to make Bellamy's Corner bright and cheerful for the Christmas season but each year we get defeated by a few silly youths," said Cllr May, pictured with the damaged tree. The tree was donated by local businessman Chris Warren and his wife and was put in place by the groundsman with help from a number of other volunteers on December 15, ready for the switch- on the following day. In addition, the walls enclosing the central green area were strung with coloured lights. "All the bulbs were put in place, with a reserve of bulbs in hand which we did not want to use," said Cllr May. "All the lights were switched on on December 16 and it looked really good." But within four days 62 of the bulbs had had to be replaced because they had been damaged or stolen. The day before Christmas Eve the whole tree was stripped and the majority of wall lights ripped from their setting and left on the ground. Civic leaders made use of the remaining reserve of bulbs to ensure the area was lit up for local children to see the tree on their way to church on Christmas Eve, bringing the tally of bulbs used this year to 115. But on Christmas Day a further spate of vandalism left the tree virtually snapped in half and fewer than half a dozen of the wall lights with bulbs in. "Is it really worth the effort when the area is subjected to this sort of treatment," said Cllr May. "I will be recommending to the council that we leave the corner bare unless the culprits come forward or someone gives their names to the police." Information can be given to the council on 01984 633979 or to the police Crimestoppers service on 0800 555111. Photo: Steve Guscott.
