Here's a poem which was published in the Chronicle in the early 1950s. It seem that the Ards Borough Council of that time had taken a decision to not have a Christmas tree in the square in Newtownards, and that there was a "campaign" in the Chronicle to have the Council change its decision. As usual, William was at the forefront of the issue - he was often a thorn in the flesh of the local politicians!
No Christmas Tree!
No Christmas tree in Conway Square!
The prospect is both bleak and bare:
They’re not erecting one this year,
A sight to gladden and to cheer.
No Christmas tree in Conway Square!
The councillors don’t seem to care,
No Christmas hymns and carols too,
Our Christmas joys are far too few.
No Christmas tree in Conway Square!
No Christmas spirit in the air,
I hope they listen to the plea:
“Erect once more a Christmas tree.”
No Christmas tree in Conway Square!
No season of goodwill shared there;
No spirit of festivity
Around a lighted Christmas tree.
No Christmas tree in Conway Square!
To one and all it’s most unfair;
For people come from far and near -
The Christmas spirit draws them here.
No Christmas tree in Conway Square!
The councillors’ views we do not share,
The “Chronicle” people make it plain,
They speak for Ards folk once again.
A Christmas tree in Conway Square,
The Christmas spirit in the air;
In Newtownards at Christmastide
The Ards Peninsula takes a pride.
A Christmas tree in Conway Square,
The people come from everywhere;
It brings prosperity to the town -
No councillor should turn this down.
A Christmas tree in Conway Square,
It tells of One who came to share
Our joys and sorrows while down here,
His name, Emmanuel, most dear.
Then plant a tree in Conway Square,
And decorate it bright and fair;
For memories of it will live on
When borough councillors are gone.
A Christmas tree in Conway Square!
In winter’s cold and chilly air,
Would breathe a hope for coming days;
Its message cheers us on our ways.
A Christmas tree in Conway Square,
The Christmas spirit in the air;
A season of festivity -
Why not erect a Christmas tree?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment