12.12.2008

How not to erect a Christmas tree

When Swindon (UK) borough council tried to put a Christmas tree on its famous Magic Roundabout it ran into difficulty, the choice of crane didn’t help.
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The operator starts to lift the tree

The tree was slightly taller than planned, at 16 metres instead of 13 metres, but was delivered by a truck equipped with a long arm loader crane and grab. The tree was apparently a little large for its base and needed to be fully vertical in order to drop the tree into its base.
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Up it goes but it is not upright enough to fit into the base

No matter how hard the council workers tried they could not manage to get the tree lined up and eventually broke part of the base. So the tree was returned to base waiting for another attempt today.

Vertikal Comment

We have many UK councils on the distribution list for Cranes&Access but many are notorious for cancelling their copies saying that they have no need for it, in spite of their work at height responsibilities, lighting, sign and building maintenance.

Having seen this – less than professional – lifting attempt it will be interesting to see if Swindon takes a regular copy! They are hardly setting a good example.