Appeal for information after charity gardens targeted by vandals
Orkney Islands Council (OIC) and Orkney Blide Trust are appealing to members of the public for their help in reporting vandalism, after recent damage at Tankerness House Gardens.
The walled gardens which sit behind the Orkney Museum, are a favoured spot for visitors and locals alike. Within the last month branches have been broken from trees and stones removed from the walls at the garden.
Formerly maintained by the council, since spring this year the gardens have been cared for by the Orkney Blide Trust — giving the mental health charity’s service users the chance to work close to nature and contribute to one of the county’s most loved public places.
Frazer Campbell, service director for the Blide Trust, said, while the recent damage has bewildered his team and they cannot understand why someone would do this, they won’t let it get them down: “It is really disappointing for our newly formed gardening team to find some of their work destroyed by vandals. Orkney Blide Trust agreed to look after Tankerness House Gardens as part of our programme of giving something back to the community that supports us so well.
“The care and attention the team have given to the upkeep of the grounds has received many compliments and we hope to have the damage repaired as soon as possible.”
The council’s sport and leisure service manager, Garry Burton, says the public can help protect the county’s play and leisure spaces from misuse and vandalism: “We’d just reiterate that if people hear or see something and are concerned to please notify the police immediately. We take damage to the facilities we oversee on behalf of the community very seriously — anyone caught in the act can expect to be prosecuted.”
Meanwhile, recent damage to the CLAN therapeutic garden in Kirkwall is being put right by Community Payback workers coordinated through Orkney Islands Council.
OIC’s criminal justice service manager, Jon Humphreys said: “On hearing of the damage in local media, one of our Community Payback Supervisors went along to CLAN to offer assistance to help restore the damage done — we’re pleased to say our offer has been gratefully received and remedial work is already underway.
“The garden was in part originally constructed by workers undertaking Community Payback Orders, at least one of whom carried on working there voluntarily after their hours were completed — so it’s satisfying to be able to contribute to the repairs and we plan to be involved in ongoing development at the Garden again.
“While there are some limitations on what we can do, and we have a range of existing commitments, we are always happy to look at suggestions from the public for potential suitable tasks, via phone 01856 873535 ext 2660, or criminal.justice@orkney.gov.uk”