Vandals went on wrecking spree in Garstang’s award-winning park

An orchard created by pupils at a Preston school has been attacked by vandals.
Trustee: Joe GilmourTrustee: Joe Gilmour
Trustee: Joe Gilmour

The community orchard at Garstang’s award winning Kepple Lane Park was planted by pupils from Morbrook Special school under the auspices of park trustee Joe Gilmour.

Joe works at the school has vowed not to let the vandals destroy the good work of Garstang Transition Group, which was the driving force behind the decision to plant an orchard at the park.

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The cost of the fruit trees was funded by cash raised at Garstang’s Victorian Christmas Festival and a £260 grant from the Tree Council.

Pupils from Moorbrook helped plant the saplings.

The teacher said: “I have been very closely involved in this project. I’m sure I don’t need to say how upset I am by all this.”

Joe, who lives near the park added: “At the beginning of May we were shocked to discover that three of the new apple trees had been vandalised. We decided to tidy up the stumps as there was a good chance the trees would recover and still go on to produce fruit, and hoped this was a one-off.”

Last week the same trees were vandalised again. He said: “Two have been snapped off at ground level. One shows no signs at all. Two further trees have had the tops snapped off. We are devastated by it.”

He added pupils would be upset: “They worked hard and were a credit to the school.”

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