Villagers have rushed to the defence of their centre piece Christmas tree after a Daily Mail article claimed it could be the worst in Britain.
The unusual tree was built out of scaffolding and tinsel next to the main road in Haddenham.
Some residents said the metal structure was “disappointing” and an “eyesore” but after being slated in the national press 89 villagers came out in support saying the tree represented the strong community spirit in Haddenham.
The tree has been put together using metal scaffolding poles, with tinsel twisted around the structure to form star-shaped branches.
Matthew Hannigan, 52, said it was an eyesore in the centre of the village.
He said other villages had real Christmas trees with lights and yet the Haddenham tree was really disappointing.
But resident Miranda Pratt, who helped to construct the tree, said it was meant to be “conceptual” and “exciting.”
She said it was put up for a Festival of Light event to celebrate the start of Christmas which was in the village at the weekend and was attended by more than 1,000 people.
One commentator on the Mail’s website said Haddenham had: “One of the strongest community atmospheres I have ever experienced in a village” and the tree represented a community coming together.
Another said that the tree had deeper meaning to it as it had 24 stars to represent the days of advent and was part of a living calendar which will see different events around the village to raise money for charity.
One person said: “It is bitterly disappointing that a fellow resident has seen fit to bemoan to the national press something that is the symbol of a great series of community events being organised by a dedicated bunch of people who are helping to make this village somewhere I am proud to live.”
There is a traditional Christmas tree with lights opposite in the church.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here