Unlucky for some? Market Drayton's Christmas tree is still up
It's the superstition that we all try to avoid every year. By leaving your decorations up beyond the 12 days of Christmas many people fear it will bring bad luck for the New Year.
So it seems 2014 could be an unlucky year for people in Market Drayton with the town's Christmas tree still standing in High Street for more than three weeks after the big day.
Residents are fearful the town could now be jinxed - while traders have claimed the tree is an eyesore which is putting customers off visiting the town centre.
Resident Sarah Baines said: "I thought the Christmas tree in town would have been taken down by now. It's not normally up this long."
Dawn Garrett said: "The lights were still switched on after new year too, I was always told that was bad luck."
Town council chiefs said there were planning to take the tree down today.
Traders say the tree has died and turned brown, and that pins belonging to the tree are blowing around the town centre.
Sean Turner, general manager of ice-cream parlour and coffee shop No. 21, said: "It's getting beyond a joke that the tree is still up.
"Why on earth is it still out there when everyone else's decorations have been taken down?
"All the lights and the small decorations people placed in their shop windows have been removed but this giant tree is still there.
"When the wind blows I get pins blowing into my shop and I know I'm not the only one who is unhappy about it.
"A few customers have asked me when it is coming down but I honestly can't tell them."
Phil Duffy, from Salop Mobility, said: "It has become an eyesore. It seems to be sponsored by Muller so I thought maybe they wanted to keep it up for advertising.
"It doesn't look great and people are asking when it is coming down what with it being long after the 12 days of Christmas. I think it's about time we moved on."
Chris Burgan, from the Relate charity shop, added: "I thought they must just be waiting for it to die unless it's meant to be completely brown. It doesn't look great, it really needs to be taken away."
Julie Jones, deputy clerk of Market Drayton Town Council, disagreed with claims it has taken a long time to remove the tree.
She said: "We don't think it has taken that long. The 12th night was only last week and we had to get the lights taken off and then fit in with our contractors."
Mayor of Market Drayton Councillor Tim Beckett said: "Town council staff were not qualified to do the job of moving the tree due to health and safety issues.
"Once the lights have been removed then have to get contractors in to do the work and take the tree away. We have to book and work around their schedule," he said.
