12:30pm Sunday 20th December 2009
THE celebration of Christmas in Marlow has "lost its magic" and pales in comparison to its neighbour Henley, a councillor says.
Great Marlow Parish Councillor Michelle Barstow said she was underwhelmed by this year's decorations in the town centre, especially after driving through Marlow's riverside rival.
"Henley looked so pretty and it brought back memories of what it used to look like in Marlow. I just thought what the hell has happened to Marlow?
"I just thought its gone, the magic, that it had when I came to live here. Now it's not the same."
She also criticised the faltering Christmas Tree lights, which were only partially lit.
There was an glitch with the upper part of the illuminations when they were switched on by Mayor Neil Marshall.
"I'm totally disgusted that it's taken a week to light the top of the tree, they've taken a week to fix it," she said.
Marlow Chamber of Trade secretary Jo Braybrooke last week branded the decorations 'dreadful'. Two sets could not go up due to broken brackets.
Mrs Braybrooke said the problem emphasised the need for donations to buy new lights, which she fears will be necessary as soon as next year.
Although Wycombe District Council pay for the illuminations, the chamber make contributions.
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