A Town Refused

What happened recently when a town in the UK decorated a well with the Green Man? The man asked to bless the well refused (after the ceremony started) because of his beliefs and started a controversy within the town.

The move caused upset throughout the community, with many residents claiming his decision marred festival celebrations and sparked some to don 'Green Man' costumes in protest during the parade on Saturday.

I can understand why Rev. Andrew Montgomerie would refuse but why didn't he say something sooner? He noticed the design the night before and could have said something then so as not to disrupt the ceremony. While he states that he spent the night deciding, he still could have refused before the ceremony instead of during.