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Ipswich woman launches campaign to bring back Cornhill Christmas tree
Ipswich resident,Sylvia Mitchell has launched a petition to bring back a traditional Christmas tree to the Cornhill. - Credit: Sarah Lucy brown
A petition calling for the return of the traditional Cornhill Christmas tree this December has been signed by dozens of residents in just a few days.
NEWS Pix Phil Morley 18/11/10 The switch on of the Ipswich Christmas lights on the Cornhill.
Sylvia Mitchell, 52, kicked off the campaign this week after claiming the white artificial tree, which has been used for the past four years, “ruins the spirit of Christmas in Ipswich”.
Ms Mitchell, who was born in the town, also called the current tree an “eyesore” which “stops” visitors from coming to Ipswich at Christmas time.
Her appeal has so far collected more than 40 signatures.
“There are a lot of people that would like to see a real tree return to the Cornhill,” she said.
The Ipswich Christmas Tree on Cornhill which has tall hoardings round the base. - Credit: Archant
“The white one is an eyesore and sometimes stops visitors from wanting to come to the town centre.”
The 52-year-old, who works at Rushmere Hall Primary School, said her petition was born out of comments made on social media about the artificial tree, which was introduced by the town’s borough council back in 2012.
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“It would feel a lot more like Christmas with a real tree, I don’t see why the council got rid of it in the first place,” Ms Mitchell added.
“It ruins the spirit of Christmas in Ipswich and looks like it is made out of plastic.”
The Ipswich Christmas Tree on Cornhill which has tall hoardings round the base. - Credit: Archant
Once the petition has collected 1,000 signatures, Ms Mitchell will be presenting it to the council for consideration.
She will be outside the Tavern Street branch of NatWest between 2.15pm and 3pm today collecting signatures for her petition.
An Ipswich Borough Council spokesman said: “We are speaking to Ipswich Central about a town centre Christmas tree and festive lights.”
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STAR NEWS 'Snow' falls on the crowd at the switch on the Ipswich Christmas Lights. PIC RICHARD SNASDELL EADT 27 11 06 ES 27 11 06
