Recycle - the possiblities are endless, unless it comes to civic Christmas lights, it seems 

Civic Christmas decorations, an annual waste of money and poor stewardship of earth's limited resources, or a great opportunity to promote community and lift spirits?  I'm never quite sure which side of the argument I come down on - the amounts of money spent on lighting streets for a few weeks could undoubtedly be put to practical use (after all, the poor are always with you) but it is quite uplifting, no matter how naff the designs, to see towns brightened up and small children gazing wide eyed at rudolph, stars, snowflakes or whatever else (to what purpose this waste?).  At the same time, the wanton use of electricity - you know, that stuff we're allegedly running out of the means to make - creation of waste and CO2 should be questioned.

I have been mildly amused to see two towns I hold dear in the headlines this year over things they have - or have not - done.  Northampton Borough Council decided to spend less money on lights, originally reported as being at least in part an environmental impact decision, though the local rag stresses only the financial saving made by the council, and cites a few disgruntled locals who feel they've paid for lights.  Meanwhile Warrington Borough Council has been criticised for this installation:

The council assert that care for the planet is a good Christian theme, a local Anglican diocese (not the one which contains Warrington, ironically) has taken offence at this one installation.  For myself, I think it's an opportunity well taken.  I hope that the increase in recycling will give a net carbon offset for the sign (otherwise it's been an own goal) but why this installation is not OK when so much other stuff evidently does not justify episcopal comment, I really don't know.  Are reindeer and snowflakes overtly Christian?  Not last time I looked!!  Perhaps the local churches should club togther and pay for an overtly Christian installation?  I know that for decades the Girls' Brigade in the north west sponsored an installation at Blackpool (and recall the increase in cost when our motto became flashing lights!!)

Well Wobblington and Nurumpton (as they are variously known in some circles) I still love you!

Photo from BBC website.