Friockheim villagers have reacted with anger and frustration after another chapter of summer vandalism.
Plants donated to the Tryst Village Improvement Group have been ripped up just a few weeks after being given to the community.
Group members were delighted with the appearance of the raised beds at the community garden after the donation of plants by Ashbrook Nurseries in Arbroath and hoped they would be appreciated by visitors to the village park, many of whom come from all over Angus.
A Tryst official said: ”This week one of our members visited the garden to take a photo of the beds, only to discover some of the plants had been pulled out by the roots and the remainder had disappeared completely.
”This follows the demolition of the picnic table, which was also donated by a local joiner. We have also had gates taken off the tennis courts and trays ripped out of the barbecue pit.
”I’m angry and disgusted that people could do this. The Tryst Village Improvement Group puts a lot of work into the village and in 2000 members of the community raised £25,000 to add to £75,000 lottery money to build the garden.
”We also raised about £10,000 to put the Christmas lights up but this sort of thing leaves you wondering whether it is all worth it.
”Ashbrook have kindly offered to replace the damaged and stolen plants but we don’t know whether the same thing might just happen again.”
Bicycle tracks were found on the raised beds and Tryst members who believe youngsters may have been responsible for the damage have urged local parents to ensure their children are behaving properly during the summer holidays.
Friockheim community council secretary Douggy Pond said: ”The community council is very supportive of Tryst and we’re disappointed this has happened. What it also does is emphasise the need for facilities and activities to be available in the village and the community council and Eastgate group are currently working towards that.”
Mr Pond chairs the body which has been formed with the ambition of turning Friockheim’s former Eastgate school into a community-run facility with a range of uses.
The project is in its infancy but Mr Pond said it might prevent bored young vandals from causing damage in the future.
Local politicians have pledged their support for the idea, with feasibility funding already in place.
”The lack of facilities in Friockheim is a great worry,” Mr Pond added. ”The village has around 1,200 people but there is a population of around 3,000 in the surrounding area.
”We are looking at three main areas: support for the older people in the village, playgroups for the very young children and other activities for the youth of the village.”