By Mike Donachie

VANDALS HAVE left Scone’s 200th anniversary celebrations under threat by attacking improvements in a village park, causing an estimated £5000 worth of damage.

On Wednesday night at Scone Park, where hundreds of people are expected to celebrate the village’s milestone at a fun day on Sunday, they moved in to wreak havoc.

Contractor Alex Butter expressed his dismay after he and his workers discovered the shocking scenes just after 7 am, and he and local councillor Lewis Simpson blamed a small minority of local youths.

He said, “It’s been totally wrecked by these mindless little vandals. We were there until 9 o’clock last night so they must have been sitting there waiting for us to go. Somebody needs to get them under control.”

The vandalism, which is being investigated by the police, included spraying paint on play equipment, bowling club buildings and a memorial plaque, as well as damage to the main gates so serious that part of them has had to be removed.

The landscaping efforts of council employees and contractors were effectively eradicated, too, with turf—laid just on Wednesday—torn up and stones and bags of bark scattered around the park.

The blow to the community comes just days after Scone and District Community Council arranged a public meeting, to take place on June 27, so that police can hear locals’ views on disruption and anti-social behaviour apparently caused by groups of youths.

Now the most important community event for many years—the 200th anniversary of the original buildings’ move from Old Scone, near Scone Palace, to the current site—may be under threat if the Ballinluig-based contractors are unable to rescue it.

Mr Butter, who was hoping to transfer employees from another contract, continued, “We’re virtually going to have to start again. We’re working hard to get done in time.”

He added, “It’s the parents’ responsibility. If they want to live in a nice place then they should look after their children properly.”

Scone councillor Lewis Simpson said, “The council’s environment services and subcontractors have made tremendous efforts, particularly this week, to bring the park up to an acceptable standard for the Scone fun day on Sunday. Unfortunately a small group of local youths have made it their business to attempt to wreck the best efforts of the community to restore their park and enjoy it together.”

He also commented, “It is largely the fault of the parents.”

He stressed that there is a great deal of value happening in Scone, with many clubs, including the new community association, working hard to ensure activities are on offer.

Sunday’s events are still scheduled to take place, with a parade through the village from 1.30 pm and lots of entertainment—including a five-a-side football tournament, stalls by local organisations and a display of plans to improve the park.

The community council have invited a senior police representative to their meeting in the Robert Douglas Memorial School at 7.30 pm on June 27.

Issues already discussed with the police by community council office-bearers include under-age drinking and vandalism.

Anyone with information on any incident, including the one at Scone Park, is urged to contact the police on 01738 621141.