Wells crab-pot tree returns to north Norolk harbour

When coronavirus restrictions stopped Wells’ Christmas Tide Festival in 2020, there was doubt over whether the town’s normal festive decorations could be put up.

 So Wells Harbour Commission and the festival organisers started looking for a no-frills way of spreading holiday cheer, and the crab pot tree was what they came up with. 

The crab pot Christmas tree returns to Wells Harbour (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Now the 15ft tree - made of around 180 pots - stands proudly at the quay for the fourth year in a row.

The tree was the idea of harbour master Robert Smith.

Mr Smith secured donations of pots and other items from local fishermen to get donations, and this year is also decorated with crab and lobster toys, lights, and buoys bearing names of fishing boats that work out of the harbour.

The crab pot Christmas tree returns to Wells Harbour - with the names of the fishing boats which works out of the harbour (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Mr Smith said: “We would be lynched if we did not do it now, people love it and they expected it as part of the Christmas celebration.

“Although we would dare not do it going forward, we love doing it and bringing a smile to people’s faces, and it's certainly a tradition of Christmas in Wells now.”

Mr Smith said he wanted to thank everyone who had contributed to this year's tree. 

It follows the official start of the festive season in the town with this year's Christmas Tide festival taking place on November 25.

Marcus French, one of the organisers of the event, said: "The flotilla of boats was the best we have had, with all local fishermen lighting their boats, for the event.

"Father Christmas arrives on a brightly lit boat with people illuminated in bright lights with flowing wings."

The crab pot Christmas tree returns to Wells Harbour. Pictured are Harbour Administrator Simon Cooper, and Harbour Admin Assistant Sallyann Retchless (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The crab pot Christmas tree returns to Wells Harbour. Pictured are Harbour Administrator Simon Cooper, and Harbour Admin Assistant Sallyann Retchless (Image: Sonya Duncan)