The Council had commenced work in creating a community orchard on the edge of Horndale Park for the benefit of the local community and the environment.
Trees planted included a variety of apples, pears, plums, hazel, sweet chestnut, walnuts and for something a little different, mulberry and medler trees, with a view that local families could benefit from the fruit in the years to come.
The work has been funded by Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership – GAMP and the trees planted by the Council Works Section and volunteers from the local community and other departments of the Council.
Unfortunately, less than 24 hours after planting, half of the trees planted have been snapped, uprooted or damaged. The estimated cost of the damage is in the region of £3,000.
With the support of GAMP the project at Horndale Park has now been cancelled and the surviving trees are going to be removed and replanted in alternative sites in the parish, where their chances of survival will be greatly improved.
Local Police have been informed and the Council’s Works and Environment Manager will be contacting local schools with a view of educating and identifying the culprits.
Anyone who may have any information regarding the vandalism should contact Newton Aycliffe Police on the non-emergency 101 service.
Also, one of the much loved kiddies spinners has been burnt and melted and will need to be removed, for safety, at Horndale Play area.
This is the latest incident within the park over recent days following the £3000 worth of damage done to the new community orchard.
If anyone has any further information regarding either of these incidents please contact the police on 101.
Photos: The damaged orchard, the burnt out kiddies spinner and the orchard before destruction.
