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They're going to replace this tree...

Eddie Mair | 13:49 UK time, Wednesday, 3 December 2008

durham.jpg

PA reports: "Forest chiefs today stepped in to replace an eyesore Christmas tree dubbed the worst in Britain. Since the threadbare tree was erected at a County Durham shopping centre it has attracted barbed comments and even made international news headlines for its less than shapely form. Now the Forestry Commission has intervened to replace the tatty tree, which is on display at the Castle Dene Shopping Centre in Peterlee, with a handsome 20ft Norway spruce."

1420 UPDATE: I've just recorded an interview with a very concerned local councillor.

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  • 1. At 2:05pm on 03 Dec 2008, Big Sister wrote:

    Perhaps they could do a deal with Lapland? (The Dorset one, I mean, not the real one!)

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  • 2. At 2:14pm on 03 Dec 2008, Big Sister wrote:

    A PS to my (1). Couldn't you ask Jonnie to do an exclusive report on the Lapland story? It has been done to death on local TV down here, but it might be good if PM had one of its very own froggers to give their opinion. Mind you, it costs 30 quid to get in, I believe. Would the PM petty cash cover that? ;o)

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  • 3. At 2:20pm on 03 Dec 2008, theotherdaughter wrote:

    Big sis - if it does, and you need a backup, please may I come too? Dorset does not have much excitement.

    tod

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  • 4. At 2:34pm on 03 Dec 2008, Big Sister wrote:

    I'm sure Jonnie wouldn't mind, ToD. I don't think I could make it, though - I'm about 70 miles away!

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  • 5. At 2:35pm on 03 Dec 2008, Big Sister wrote:

    ToD, would your sister join you?

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  • 6. At 3:11pm on 03 Dec 2008, oldgifford wrote:

    Splendid story, why not give over the programme to this story and the one about a street cleaner who found a bag containing £10,000 in cut up bank notes and has been told he can keep the money - if he can piece it together.

    These would allow PM to avoid the story about the Speaker's statement in Parliament today and so not embarrass their friends in nu Labour.

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  • 7. At 4:03pm on 03 Dec 2008, steelpulse wrote:

    Lapland and New Labour.

    Oldgifford. I knew Lapland. Well one of them.

    Lapland was a friend of mine.

    Peterlee (and Dorset) - you are NO Lapland.

    Now Mister Speaker - about gallantry and warrants needed. Warrants needed in future - in ALL circumstances, Sir?

    Now he writes the Laws does he? Well well.

    Eddie. Please let me at 'em!

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  • 8. At 4:14pm on 03 Dec 2008, The Stainless Steel Cat wrote:

    You've covered the Lapland story already - didn't you have Peter Stringfellow on recently?

    Oldgifford (6):

    I'm sure Chippy Martin's statement will be dissected by PM, including asking someone why the Sergeant-At-Arms didn't a) undertake the search herself, b) know she was under no obligation to allow the police to search and above all, why the Speaker isn't accepting responsibility for the lack of training of someone (I think) is under his oversight.

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  • 9. At 4:30pm on 03 Dec 2008, chatterisgirl wrote:

    this is typical of the country and the state we are in. It is all about show and no meaning. It is a Christmas tree - a symbol of the season. I am not religious, but this should be a time when we can reflect on what we mean to each other, and not about the glitter and glitz and spending money on tat.
    I will get off my soapbox now... has anyone got a laffer?

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  • 10. At 4:31pm on 03 Dec 2008, chatterisgirl wrote:

    I got a bit excited - I meant ladder

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  • 11. At 4:35pm on 03 Dec 2008, David_McNickle wrote:

    cg 9, Sorry, but Christmas is a religious day.

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  • 12. At 4:41pm on 03 Dec 2008, chatterisgirl wrote:

    Yes, it is religious. And those who are Christians should be allowed to celebrate in the way that they want. I want to use the season as a time to appreciate those around me and the life that we have. Not get into a lather because the Jones' next door have better decorations that us

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  • 13. At 4:48pm on 03 Dec 2008, David_McNickle wrote:

    cg 12, I forgot to say, I'm not religious either. Pick another day to feel good about others. I don't wear a poppy on poppy day, but I get annoyed by people appropriating the day to wear a white poppy. I'll bet our decorations are better than yours....

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  • 14. At 4:48pm on 03 Dec 2008, Lady Sue wrote:

    I feel a bit sad that, if this symbolic tree is replaced by a "better specimen", it means that the 20ft Norway spruce, which should thrive for years to come and reach maturity, is going to be prematurely cut down.

    For what?

    Season of goodwill? Not for trees!

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  • 15. At 5:01pm on 03 Dec 2008, David_McNickle wrote:

    L_S 14, The tree we are using this year is now in its 4th Christmas. It was planted in a pot in the ground and we keep it in the garden the rest of the year. 35 pounds sounds expensive, but not when divided by four.

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  • 16. At 6:04pm on 03 Dec 2008, Chris_Ghoti wrote:

    Lady Sue, hear hear. I have always felt that killing a tree to celebrate somebody's birthday was rather naff.

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  • 17. At 12:17pm on 04 Dec 2008, Vyle Hernia wrote:

    I can think of several trees I'd like to kill, regardless of whose birthday it is.

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  • 18. At 2:28pm on 04 Dec 2008, Chris_Ghoti wrote:

    VH @ 17, nasty inconvenient things that drop untidy leaves in the autumn, perhaps?

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