Bah humbug! Tenby Walled Town Residents' Association (TWTRA) have greeted the town council's decision to extend the town's Christmas lighting into St. Julian Street with a less than merry response. In a letter brought before the council on Tuesday, chairman of TWTRA, Mr. Richard Walker, claimed that a number of residents living in the street were disgruntled that they were not consulted before the festive lights were erected. "Our concern is that the extension of the decorations into the heart of this mainly residential area has increased the impression that this is a commercial street," he said. "The proximity of so many listed residential properties should have been a major consideration when the decision was made to install these lights and an assessment made of the impact they would have. "Some of the residents have also noticed that these Christmas decorations have been erected level with their bedroom windows and are concerned that when they are illuminated they will be disturbed by the lights shining in and keeping them awake," he continued, adding that the decision to erect the lights should only have been taken after taking into consideration the public order problems that residents in the street already face. "There are fears that the lights will entice more late night revellers into this residential area and compound the existing alcohol related nuisance problems," stated Mr. Walker. Clr. Paul Rapi sympathised with certain aspects of the residents' concerns, but felt quite strongly that a lot of people appreciated the Christmas lights and that businesses in that area benefited from them. "I appreciate what they are saying, as I know what it's like to live under the festive lighting in Upper Frog Street, but at the same time it's a tricky one, as the lights add so much to the town and a lot of people want them. We are a community that is dependent on visitors, and the lights do help attract people to the town at this time of the year," he remarked, adding that the council should seek the views of the whole town before reviewing the situation ahead of next Christmas. Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter felt, though, that the town council were justified in making the decision to extend the Christmas lights at this festive time of year, having taken on the responsibility from the Chamber of Trade several years ago. "We have a lighting committee and it was agreed at the time of takeover that there would be an ongoing programme to repair, replace and increase the lights in the town," she explained. "This year, the town council was in a position to extend the lights down St. Julian Street. There was no ulterior motive for this and if it was possible they would have been extended right down to the harbour and back up Crackwell Street. Maybe in future years this might be possible. "If Pembrokeshire County Council and National Parks took any notice of these people's concerns regarding the festive lights, Tenby would be a laughing stock at this time of year," she continued. "It seems that TWTRA only represent a select few houses at the bottom of St. Julians Street and not the rest of the walled town, while the town council represents the whole of Tenby. "I suggest that next May, if TWTRA are not happy with things as they are, they should stand for council and be democratically voted on," stressed Clr. Mrs. Rossiter, also pointing out that the Christmas lights were only up for a mere four weeks of the year. Clr. Mrs. Rossiter also made reference to a story in the news that day. "I note that Her Majesty is having half-a-mile of Christmas lights designed from Blackpool council for the Sandringham estate this festive season, God save the Queen!" she proclaimed. Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas concurred with her colleague in that it was a great pity that a minority of people were unhappy with the extension of the lights. "I think the majority of the townspeople are appreciative of the festive decorations," she said. This was highlighted in a letter from Lesley Fisher, licensee of Tudor Square's Tenby House Hotel, who praised the decorations. "All efforts by the town council and individual businesses to add to the 'festive spirit' can only benefit the town and local community," she wrote. "It's unfortunate that Tenby is not a major shopping destination for most people, but for those who cannot travel long distances, or do not wish to, at least their visit into town will be pleasurable," added Mrs. Fisher in congratulating the council. Councillors agreed to adjourn the meeting briefly to take on board additional views of Mr. Walker, who was present in the chamber. Mr. Walker wanted to clarify that the main concern of the street's residents was that they had not been consulted on the lighting issue, and he would welcome a review after the festive period ahead of next Christmas. He also suggested that white lights instead of coloured ones may alleviate some of the problem. Mayor, Clr. John Griffiths, felt that the Christmas decorations were a huge attraction and encouraged more visitors to the town at this time of year. He agreed that it was too late to do anything on the matter this Christmas and suggested that the issue be reviewed in February of next year.