It is meant to be a time for celebration and good cheer but a Norfolk village's Christmas festivities have instead been rocked by controversy.
A row has erupted in the heart of Old Buckenham after the owner of one of its pubs lashed out at "disgusting lies" - which he believes has resulted in the relocation of a popular Yuletide event.
David Tranmer, proprietor of the Ox and Plough, has fumed at the parish council's decision to move its festive light switch-on to another pub.
The village Christmas tree has been displayed outside the Ox and Plough for the past seven years but will now be located next to the Gamekeeper, on the opposite side of the green.
Despite backlash, the parish council has confirmed the new arrangements will remain in place, and intends to alternate the switch-on between all local business to avoid conflict in the future.
FESTIVE FALLOUT
The festive switch-on in Old Buckenham takes place on the green outside the Ox and Plough every year and features carol singers, mulled wine and the lighting of the celebrated Christmas tree.
However, the parish council has decided to relocate the event to the other side of the green this year, instead pitching the tree outside the Gamekeeper pub and Harrow and Fearn wine shop.
Mr Tranmer, who has provided electricity for the tree for the last seven years, often free of charge, said the council had wrongly understood that he was "refusing" to supply for this year's festivities.
He said on social media: "These are absolute lies. The outcome of this lie is that we will not be hosting the light switch-on - without the council having confirmed with me if it were true.
"I find it quite upsetting that after seven years I wasn't even approached to find out if that were true. Surely, just out of common decency, I could have been asked.
"All of us here at the Ox and Plough find it absolutely disgusting."
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This is not the first time that Mr Tranmer and the parish council have come to blows.
Two Wheel Tuesdays, a large bike meet that takes place on the village green, has been a particularly contentious topic in recent months.
The event is organised by Mr Tranmer, who the council has accused of failing to repair damage to the land and submitting late payments for its use. He strongly denies this.
A recent meeting of the council saw around 30 members of the public turn out to discuss the use of the green by Two Wheel Tuesdays, which Mr Tranmer said went "extremely well".
However, this period of harmony between the pub and the council has been short-lived.
Responding to the Christmas controversy, Old Buckenham Parish Council said: "We were informed that Mr Tranmer had expressed he did not wish to be a part of festivities this year.
"We, as a council based on the information we had been given, had to make alternative arrangements so that the village could still have a Christmas tree. Which we did.
"Unfortunately, it has been brought to our attention that the information we had been given was untrue.
"However, after consideration, the arrangements for 2024 have now been put in place and will remain as they are.
"After some more careful thought, we as a council would like to alternate the light switch on between all local businesses in the village to support them all."
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The shop owners have agreed to provide electricity for the tree and the cost of this will be covered by the parish council.
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