COUNCIL chiefs in Rochdale have been dubbed crackers - for putting up Christmas lights in Milnrow four months early.
Residents doing their weekly shop in short sleeves and shorts were stunned to see workmen putting up neon decorations including a bob-hatted penguin on skis, holly leaves and berries.
Teams used a hydraulic platform to install the illuminations, which also include a giant Noel sign and festive candles.
The council has defended its move saying the display will also be used to mark festivals celebrated by other faiths including the Muslim festival of Eid next month.
But many locals say the idea is simply daft.
Mo Ali, who runs a newsagent's shop on Newhey Road, said: "Everybody is talking about it.
"I think it's far too early to be putting decorations up like this when we're still enjoying summer weather. A lot of people are not at all happy about it."
Tom Whitaker, 19, said: "It's ludicrous. It's the height of summer and they're putting up Christmas lights. A worker told me they had to be up in time for all the religious festivals, but most of the lights refer to the Christian Christmas."
Philip Embley, who runs a pet shop in the village, said: "I thought I was seeing things when I saw the workmen putting up the lights outside the shop.
"Christmas comes but once a year, but this time it's come a bit too early. We have our Christmas stock on order, but we won't have it until around October, which is usually when the decorations start to go up.
"It doesn't do anything for me personally, but the whole village is talking about it. I just think it's a bit silly really, when the event is still four months away."
One villager said: "Seeing the lights makes me feel depressed. I know we haven't had much of a summer, but let's get it out of the way first."
A spokesman for Rochdale council said: "We're getting into the festive spirit early this year! Festive lights will be installed across the borough by October 19 and the work is underway now. These lights will be used to celebrate a number of festivals, commencing with Eid next month.
"At the moment it is just the lights themselves that have been installed. In many cases the cabling is not yet in place, but we wanted to ensure that everything was in readiness in plenty of time."
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Shakes head in disbelief.
That is an absolutle joke, are these people off their rockers? come on it august these lights shouldnt be going up till end of nov beginning of dec we havent even had halloween or bomfire night yet, for gods sake get a grip!!!!!!!!!!!
How ridiculous, Rochdale council ignoring the majority whilst preparing for the minority, oh just the usual story then. I feel sorry for all residents of Milnrow having to look at Christmas lights in August, how depressing. My thoughts are with you, and have a happy Christmas..
Joke of a council for a joke of a town.
It does seem daft but it's still preferable to all those councils that refuse to celebrate Christmas at all in case it offends other religions.
I like their way of thinking. They are just trying to help out the thousands of unemployed electricians in the area. Well done Rochdale council. Others should take note.
It shows just how long it takes the council to put up some lights if they have to start now... I would hate to employ them to do any emergency work...
Happy2behere: they're probably still doing last years work and have just got round to this bit now
Religion - unifying humanity once again.
Hindu festival of Diwali in October and the Jewish holiday of Hannukah in December are the others.
I am sorry but I fail to see what an illuminated picture of St. Nicklaus, in ski's, has to do with Eid or the birth of Christ. To put these festive images up on the night Ramadan starts is crazy.
Never heard of EID that is next month what kind of celebration is it?
Why do we have to consider other faiths when those other faiths dont consider how we the christians feel on so many issues Like crosses in hospital rooms etc.Whatever happened to integration
only in rochdale.....heard the comments Jesus is part of the muslims religion as well as are all the folk in the bible they are part of the koran also.....or do you all still believe he was a blonde haired blue eyed white man !! Christmas lights in August...classic RMBC
An answer to Paul Rowen's question; "Who caused the powercut in town?"!
Wait until the council debate whether the Director of teabag squeezing is allowed to employ two new assistants. I understand it is required because the Director of paper clips now has two assistants also.
Any other ideas to waste money please send to Councillor Waste of Space at the black box
Another boiled frog moment! Christmas is for Christians,as the word says.The Mass for Christ!
I like Rochdale. It has a lot to offer.
Rochdale has become a laughing stock of a town. Just another reason why people don't want to live there anymore. Used to be proud of a lovely town, but not any more
Wave goodbye to Christmas. I wonder what we'll replace it with? Work, maybe.
It may seem a little bit early. However, if these few men have to go round the Borough putting these lights up they have to start somewhere. Also they have to put these decorations up during the dry season.
They have been erected so early to celebrate Eid, Diwali, and Hanukkah.
Eid = A Muslim Festival. A feast marking the end Ramadan.
Diwali = Hindu festival with lights. October to November. Celebrating the new season at the end of the monsoon.
Hanukkah ( also Chanukkah ) = A Jewish festival lasting eight days from the 25th of Kislev. (in December )
Commemorating the rededication of the Temple in 165 BC by the Maccabees after the desecration by the Syrians. It is marked by the successive kindling of eight lights.
"t does seem daft but it's still preferable to all those councils that refuse to celebrate Christmas at all in case it offends other religions."
Which ones?
Pity they cant sweep the streets, repair the roads, perform work that equals the pay they get, stop abusing flexi time, reduce car parking charges, clear the roads of snow when it comes, etc etc etc, on this basis come November they will be offering Easter Eggs.
Read this story in The Daily Mail online and Rochdale is the laughing stock of Britain judging by the Daily Mail comments. Whoever decided on this crazy idea should be named and shamed.
" It does seem daft but it's still preferable to all those councils that refuse to celebrate Christmas at all in case it offends other religions."
Which ones?
citycentre, manchester
22/08/2009 at 09:09"
Buckinghamshire, Leamington Spa and Oxford for starters. Try Googling it.
Acid,
I did, but some months ago, so if the "ban on Christmas" is for this coming one I may have missed it, but could find none in previous years.
The only thing which did appear, and seems to exercise those of a nervous disposition was the "winterval" publicity exercise some years ago in Birmingham, atfter someone noticed less people travlled into the centre during the colder months, December, Janurary and february,and decided to run an ad campaing to tempt them, it didnt seem to have much to do with replacing christmas though; unless with an extedned period of shopping worship.
What i did find was an effort to stir up antipathy between varoius communities who seemed to be getting along well enough and enjoying each others festivals, and some overreaction caused by us keep being the the PC brigade would come, although they never did.
Just for you I checked your examples, and found that in Buckinghamshire in 2003 no posters could be displayed in a library if they were related to any political or religious events, which included one for a carol service. Didnt sound like a "refuse to celebrate Christmas" situatiuon.
Leamington Spa provided two possible casues of issue, a greengrocer, Richard Clarke, was asked to remove some Christamas trees from outside his shop in 2007, as they were blocking the pavement, I also found a letter from a Henry Webster, in 2007, complaining that Christmas decorations were being left up for too long, but I couldn't tell if it was tongue in cheek or not. There was no evidence that any action had been taken in the latter case. Both stories from the Leamington Spa Courier. Hardly a ban on Christmas, and there appeared to be no offence taken from any other religions (Mr Webster described in self as "I am not a religious person")
The case on Oxford does seem to have some merit, as a council funded charity (why the government and councils feel the need to have pet charities is a bugbear of mine, but maybe thats for another day) whcih wanted to have a "'Winter Light Festival'" from 28 November 2008 and intended to celebrate Diwali, Hanuke and Christmas. Ed Turner, the council deputy leader was widely quoted as saying "Among councillors there is certainly no desire to downgrade the importance or the prominence given to Christmas. There is going to be a Christmas tree " Apparently a display of lights in the shape of the solar system was planned, so it was at least educational, in part as a response to complaints that, due to cost savings, no celebrity had been found to switch on the previous years lights.
Other religious groups seemed disappointed with the move; Sabir Hussain Mirza, chairman of the Muslim Council of Oxford, said: "I am really upset about this. Christians, Muslims and other religions all look forward to Christmas." and Rabbi Eli Bracknell said: "It is important to maintain a traditional British Christmas."
The website 5cc blogspot has a rather amusing commentary on the story, which includes a list of the christmas events Oxford council did arrange that year, including "Christmas at Christ Church an Christmas Arias on Ice"
Christamas survives for another yeat it seems, we can all sleep easy!