Christmas is cancelled: Poole council builds compost bins over reindeer area

Chris Bullen, who runs the popular miniature railway line around a lake in the park, says the actions of Borough of Poole has jeopardised the joy of many families.

“There are 150 acres of Poole Park and the most valuable 10ft are being swallowed up as a composting area,” said Chris.

For seven years he has provided a Christmas grotto in the park and to the delight of youngsters, introduced real reindeer, who appear each festive season.

And at Easter there are pigs and piglets, lambs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ducklings and chicks to enjoy.

But as soon as the Easter pigs were moved out, contractors moved in to construct a composting area, behind the engine shed.

“We used the first 10ft of that area as our home for the reindeer and the pigs,” he said. “What’s going to happen to Prancer and Dancer now?”

He said there were other areas of the park that could be used. “It’s going to smell, there will be flies, it will get hot and it will encourage rats,” he said.

“That composting area was very useful and was enjoyed by many thousands of children and adults.

“It seems very, very sad and I’m devastated that this may be the end,” said Chris.

Clive Smith, head of the council’s leisure services, said they had allowed Mr Bullen to use an area of land free of charge, to provide a Christmas attraction.

“This land is next to an existing compost area in the park which we wish to reorganise to ensure we compost and recycle as much green waste as possible,” he said.

Mr Smith added: “We are not taking any land away from Mr Bullen as his attraction has encroached upon the compost area.

“The Christmas attraction provides a welcome feature for visitors to the park and we hope Mr Bullen continues to provide this.

“However, we must also maintain the park and adopt high standards of composting and recycling waste to meet Green Flag standards.

“There is no reason why both of these activities cannot continue,” he added.