Residents in Litherland and Ford wards have criticised Sefton Council’s management of Christmas decorations, saying the town has never looked so unloved
Residents in a Merseyside town are fuming . . . and rightly so. The people of Litherland and Ford wards are rallying to bring some festive sparkle back to their town, expressing disappointment at the lacklustre Christmas decorations provided by Sefton Council.
The locals have voiced concerns over the absence of decorations in certain areas and the shoddy state of those that have been installed. Despite this, the community remains hopeful that they can convince the council to invest in sprucing up the town as the Christmas season reaches its peak.
ver the past week, several Litherland residents reached out to the Local Democracy Reporting Service to raise awareness about the subpar decorations and express their feeling of being overlooked when it comes to investment.
To gauge public sentiment, the LDRS sought opinions from various community groups on social media, which the Daily Star is highlighting. Ed Conley responded: “For years Sefton Council has delivered Litherland a relatively poor main Christmas tree and crib, the latter is locked behind Perspex.”
He added: “It should be a celebration for everyone in this town, instead it sends a humiliating message to the tens of thousands who pass through each day.”
Conley further criticised the council’s approach, saying: “It makes us look poor and that we cannot be trusted not to steal or vandalise the statues. If that is a risk, put a camera on it and catch them, but don’t spoil it for the rest.
“The current display stands in stark contrast to the days of Litherland Urban District Council, which achieved far more with far less, each year providing a substantial tree and dignified lit crib that residents still fondly remember.”
Local resident Julie Stretton lamented: “Litherland is the forgotten town. I’ve lived here all my life and never seen it looking so unloved. We need colour, pretty lights (that work)! and a place for all generations to be able to experience Christmas decorations you see in the likes of Southport and Birkdale.”
She continued: “The crib by KFC, that has stood for many many years, now sits in a shed like set-up, the colourful painted background with the star of Bethlehem gone and replaced with nothing.
“The tree standing next to it so small you’d miss it, yet all the while, other towns have festive grandeur and decorations that make you smile and feel festive.”
In response to Julie’s comments, Judi Clarke reminisced: “My dad used to take me to see the crib and tree when I was small, then a chippy tea from Pye’s afterwards!”.
She added: “The tree was huge with strings of coloured light bulbs on it and the aforementioned crib was large and beautiful with a painted back drop and large pottery figures, really beautiful. It did have a wooden picket fence around it to set the scene; it was all that was needed then.”
Tom Pendleton penned: “[It’s] like most towns and cities all over the country for the last couple of years. Councils all over the nation have had to prioritise what public money is spent, it’s not just here in Bootle or Litherland.
“Some people on [the thread] have complained about the crib getting smaller and less prominent at the Church Road/Hawthorn Road junction, well let’s be honest here, the little darlings who live in the area have over the last 10 years or so regularly vandalised the site, sadly. That is not the fault of any councillor.”
He further commented: “Conservative, Lib Dem and Reform councils all over the country have struggled to please everyone these last few years when it comes to Christmas or Guy Fawkes celebrations. It’s nothing new and it’s not just a Litherland problem.”
The LDRS reached out to Sefton Council for their response.
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