GARDENERS say they will not let vandals affect their spirit after a community project was damaged yet again.

The polytunnels used by volunteers at the Big Garden project to grow organic vegetables have been slashed open.

Wayne Setford, a director at the scheme run from High Woods Country Park in Colchester, said the tunnels had also been left with burn marks and cuts.

Gazette:

Mr Setford said: “It’s just silly that a group or someone has done this to something which our volunteers put so much love and care into.

“In the past six months it’s become more sustained and we’ve had around a dozen cases of littering and damage. This time is the worst it’s been.

“But every time it’s happened the volunteers have been fantastic in helping to repair it, and I’d prefer to focus on that community spirit rather than those who have done it.”

Gazette:

The garden and orchard opened ten years ago and is used for growing organic vegetables by about 40 volunteers with a range of health issues.

Passers-by are able to walk through the garden as they please and Mr Setford said closing it to public was not something under consideration.

He said: “We know the majority of people who visit the garden respect it so closing it off isn’t something we want to do.

“We’re not going to let this ruin something which so many others enjoy.”

Gazette:

Mick Drummond, one of the volunteers at the garden, said the group could not explain who was attacking the garden or why.

He said: “Because it’s an area which is open to dog walkers and the public it could be just about anyone really.

“Some people might assume that it’s youngsters with nothing else to do but we just don’t know.”

Anyone who knows anything about the vandalism or knows who might be responsible is urged to contact Colchester Police on 101.

Or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the website at crimestoppers-uk.org.

  • If you want to get involved with the project, contact Wayne by emailing wayne_setford@lineone.net.

READ MORE: COLCHESTER'S APPLES BRING EVERYONE TOGETHER AT THE BIG GARDEN