The Christmas tree came crashing down because of the high winds / Europics.at

Tuesday December 1,2009

A GIANT Christmas tree came crashing down onto the car of this unlucky fella.

The Christmas tree was toppled by high winds in Berlin, Germany, and came crashing down on top of Uwe Klein's Volkswagen Golf.
 
The 45-year-old reported the damage to local police - and then cut the tree down to size and drove it home.
 
He told the Austrian Times: "I thought I might as well at least get something out of it. It's just as well it happened at the right time of year."

Published: 7:30AM GMT 04 Dec 2009

The replacement tree. Sacriston's Christmas tree has been dubbed "Britain's worst Christmas tree" Photo: PA

However, when the new tree arrived it was barely any taller and bore a striking resemblence to the original tree.

While they conceded it may look less like a bush, it is still dwarfed by the 15ft metal frame surrounding it, decorated in coloured bulbs.

The original tree, which cost £125, was planted last month, but councillors claimed that recent storms were to blame for it's stumpy stature, knocking 2ft off it's height.

Councillors said the tree would grow, but after the anger of residents, it was hastily removed and replaced with a very similar fir.

Residents in the village were left confused by the move.

One bemused onlooker said: "Is it meant to be a joke? People complained about the old tree because it looked ludicrous.

"Now we have what is effectively the same tree, it still doesn't fit the poles around it.

"The council had the opportunity to find a better tree, one which wouldn't be an insult, but that opportunity has been wasted. It doesn't get you in the Christmas spirit."

A spokeswoman for Durham County Council said: ''We hope the tree will be as strong as the community, who we feel sure will cherish it for many Christmases to come.''

If you're coming to the final night of Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo on Sunday 20 December, then we have some very exciting news – we can now announce that the special guests that night will be Al Murray and Dara O Briain.

For me, Dara O Briain's set at Hammersmith was possibly the highlight of last year's shows – if you're a fan of him as host of Mock the Week, but you haven't seen his stand-up yet, then you've definitely been missing out. He's one of the best stand-ups I've seen, and I've been looking to go and see him do a full show ever since Nine Lessons last year. In the meantime, I'm excited about seeing him do another spot at this year's Hammersmith show.

Al Murray will be appearing as his Pub Landlord alter ego – here in the New Humanist office, we're hoping the Landlord chooses to share his views on science, evolution and religion. If you're familiar with his rants, you'll know exactly what we mean.

We've also added Canadian rapper Baba Brinkman, who'll be performing his Rap Guide to Evolution, which received glowing reviews at this year's Edinburgh Festival. Take a look at his website to find out more.

It's going to be quite a show - Murray, O Briain and Brinkman are added to a bill that already features Richard Dawkins, Barry Cryer and Ronnie Golden, Simon Singh, Richard Herring, Robyn Hitchcock, Ben Goldacre, Chris Addison, Brian Cox, Martin White's Mystery Fax Machine Chamber Orchestra, the BHA Choir, all hosted by Robin Ince.

Tickets are selling fast, but there are still some available – if you haven't already booked, be sure to do so now to avoid disappointment. Tickets are priced £25 or £27.50, and are on sale now from the box office on 08448 444 748 or via the Ticketmaster website. The show is produced in association with the Rationalist Association and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Mustard Seed Secular School in Uganda.

With 5 nights at the Bloomsbury Theatre already sold out, this is your last chance to see Nine Lessons this year – with a line-up like this, you wouldn't want to miss out, would you?

Four people were taken to hospital and scores more injured this afternoon during a crowd surge at a Christmas lights switch-on in Birmingham city centre.

According to reports, thousands more than the 5,000 fans expected at today's event turned up hoping to see acts including Tinchy Stryder, Chipmunk, Little Boots, Alexandra Burke, the Noisettes and Pixie Lott.

As X-Factor runners-up JLS took to the stage, a metal barrier penning the crowd in collapsed, leaving 60 people needing treatment, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.

The planned concert and lights switch-on were cancelled as paramedics set up a special unit to treat the wounded.

One woman in her 30s suffered serious crush injuries to her pelvis, shoulder and leg. Another woman broke her ankle in the surge, which happened at Millennium Point on Jennens Lane at about 1.30pm.

A teenage boy fractured his wrist, while a girl in her teens suffered crush injuries to her back and legs.

A ambulance service spokeswoman said: "The remaining 56 patients suffered minor crush injuries and a range of minor medical complaints. They did not require further hospital treatment and were all discharged by ambulance crews at the scene."

Joan Durose, head of events at Birmingham City Council, said: "At 1.30pm we reached capacity and closed the gates with just under 20,000 people in the square.

"At the end of JLS's performance a safety fence was breached, allowing too many people on the square.

"We are very sorry that the event has had to be cancelled. We know that people will be very disappointed, but the health and safety of the thousands of young people at the event was our prime concern."

I'm looking for adults who are afraid of Father Christmas for a piece I'm writing for one of the nationals. The condition - a medically recognized - is known as Santaphobia. So if you do come out in a cold sweat whenever you see Santa (or even one of his many impersonators) please get in touch.

Michael Hewitt
Michael's Website

Michael is a freelance features writer for papers including The Daily Telegraph, The Times, and The Sunday Times.