Social media users take a dim view of Hyde’s Christmas lights

Posters on Facebook took a dim view of Hyde’s Christmas lights switch on. Convervative Cllr Andrea Colbourne and Labour Cllr Hugh Roderick of Hyde speaks on the matter.

Along with Ashton, Stalybridge, and Dukinfield in Tameside, Hyde kicked off its festive celebrations at the weekend. On Facebook posters complained the Hyde Christmas lights and decorations this year turned out to be a rather dim affair compared to other towns in the borough.

“Hyde Market Christmas Light – What a joke!” wrote one user.

A drone shot from one member of a Facebook group shows barely a hundred or so people gathered around a dimly lit Christmas tree. Several users commented that they didn’t even know that there was a switch on in Hyde, or they would have turned up.

“I knew more about the Glossop Light switch on than Hyde, and I live in Godley,” wrote a member. “An ideal scenario would be for the Labour and Conservative Party to work together to revive Hyde, much like what they’re doing in Stockport. Only then can we expect our Hyde to come out of its poor state,” said a Hyde resident.

Almost echoing the resident’s concern, Conservative councillor Andrea Colbourne said:

“I did turn up to support the event as the Councillor of the area, but we were not involved. So, I can’t comment on why it was not as good as other towns of Tameside. I appreciate that funding might be a bit tight. It was quieter than in previous years, I can say that.”

Cllr Colbourne thinks that Stalybridge and Ashton-under-Lyne markets also have foodie events like ‘Street Fests’ and ‘Fridays on the Square’ to account for their Christmas Light switch on success.

“I don’t know whether that’s because we’re the opposition, but we aren’t asked to contribute. When we turned up to support the event, Labour Councillors and Labour candidates were doing the planning, and it was a closed shop,” she said.

Labour councillor Hugh Roderick said:

“We didn’t invite too many people in the preparation and planning because of the small budget. It gets tricky if too many people develop several suggestions, which ultimately can’t be delivered because of budget constraints. We only ever set out for it to be a small affair, keeping the limited budget in mind. We would never put up lights up and down Hyde’s main street.

“I have noticed people always tend to moan, and I’m not sure what they expect from the light switch. We had Santa’s Grotto, which everyone appreciated. We had carols; we had the Christmas tree light switch on. I think there’s a lack of appreciation of the constraints in play when it comes to these events.”

But some people did appreciate the switch on.

“Looks great, all lit up. It felt good to be there on Saturday, watching them set it up while we fed the pigeons and did a bit of shopping. I love that every time I go to Hyde, I see new shops. People are trying to get Hyde better. Small steps, eh,” wrote a user on social media.

Cllr Colbourne said: “Perhaps we can try and change this for next year. We can start making arrangements now and then get in touch with the Tameside Cultural Services department, and hopefully, we can get something organised.” We’ll see what happens with that.”