A County Durham community has shown remarkable resilience after its cherished Christmas tree was brutally chopped down just hours after its festive lights were switched on. The living war memorial in Shotton Colliery has now been temporarily restored, bolted back into place and relit, following a shocking act of vandalism that left locals horrified.
A Shocking Act of Destruction
The ten-year-old tree, which stood proudly behind an £1,800 ornamental fence in the village centre, was attacked on the evening of Wednesday, December 10. A vandal used a chainsaw to cut through its trunk, felling the symbol of remembrance dedicated to all those who died in the First and Second World Wars. The lights had been officially illuminated at a ceremony attended by 80 to 100 people only hours before.
Dylan McNamara, 26, of Bruce Glazier Terrace, has been charged in connection with the incident. He pleaded not guilty to criminal damage to property valued under £5,000 at a weekend hearing and is set to stand trial at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court next year.
Community Spirit Shines Through
In the days following the attack, the heartbroken community sprang into action. A crowdfunding campaign was swiftly launched to raise money for a permanent replacement, an imported tree from Italy. To date, £2,680 has been raised, though the final cost for a new tree is not yet certain.
In the meantime, determined locals have implemented a temporary fix. The tree has been bolted back upright, with turf and ornamental grass wrapped around its damaged trunk to disguise the wound. Its lights have been switched back on, ensuring the village retains its festive focal point.
Stephen Maitland, chairman of the Shotton Colliery residents' association, expressed his initial devastation but praised the overwhelming response. "I was absolutely devastated when the tree was chopped down. It meant so much to so many people," he said. "But I do feel a little bit better now, with the crowdfunding, and how people have reacted in the village."
A Symbol of Hope and Remembrance
The attack drew immediate and painful comparisons for many to the felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland in September 2023. For residents, however, this tree held a deeply personal significance beyond its festive role.
One anonymous local man explained the tree's importance, stating, "I am a single man and I do not have a Christmas tree, I never have done. For me, the village's Christmas tree is my Christmas tree. I think a lot of single men feel the same about it. It makes you feel happy when you see it on your way home from work."
Stephen Maitland confirmed the temporary repair should last through the festive season and shared his renewed optimism. "I am in a more positive frame of mind now, and I am over the moon there's been an arrest," he said. His faith in community action was restored after initially considering stepping back from his voluntary work. "The support that's been offered has changed my mind," he added.
The story of Shotton Colliery's Christmas tree is now one of two halves: a callous act of criminal damage met with an unwavering wave of community solidarity, ensuring a symbol of collective remembrance and festive joy continues to shine.
