Here’s a longer version of the press release we sent to the Comet this week about recent plant abuse at the Triangle Garden:
Sunday 23rd April was one of the Triangle Garden’s best attended, most productive and enjoyable volunteer mornings. Project Manager Liz McElroy shared some great photos on social media that afternoon showing volunteers of all ages helping with the planting and discovering a multitude of mini-beasts living in the soil. Followed by a well-attended seedling swap at the Pavilion, the morning left everyone involved with a good feeling of having worked together towards something positive.
Imagine how Liz felt on Monday morning when she discovered that the garden had been vandalised – plants pulled up, trees snapped off and sweet wrappers strewn around.
‘A similar picture confronted our weekly volunteers last week when we did our usual Friday Morning Garden Club session, but we hoped it was just a school holiday one-off,’ said Liz. ‘It is so dispiriting to see the love and care that goes into the garden, ruined like this without a thought.’
The Triangle Garden has never been locked or fenced – it’s open to everyone and always will be – but we would appeal to all who use the garden and the Rec to please respect them – and the environment in general – it makes a huge difference not only to us and our volunteers, but to all the children for whom the garden is a magical place.’
The vandalism was drawn to our attention by the local dog-walking community who often pick up litter left lying around by evening visitors to Ransom’s Rec. ‘As a dog owner myself,’ Liz continued ‘I know that takeaway and substance litter is another example of how thoughtless behaviour can have a serious effect on lives – dogs often get hold of litter before their owners can stop them and are at risk of serious internal damage from cooked chicken bones, sharps and broken glass.’
‘I don’t think the individuals who leave litter lying around or trash plants for fun, give a second thought to the consequences but they would probably be mortified if they realised that their actions could cause upset to young children or injury to a family pet. We’d like to appeal to everyone to behave responsibly and for parents to please talk to your children and ensure they understand the potential consequences of carelessness towards the environment.’