Buckie's Roots left 'devastated' after vandals target polytunnel twice
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A BUCKIE community group has been left "devastated" after being targeted by vandals.
Buckie's Roots, who for the last few years have been brightening up Cluny Square and other areas around town with flowers and displays, were "disgusted" after the polytunnel the group use to grow plants was damaged beyond repair.
A scene of devastation met the volunteers from the group after being alerted by a neighbour and Moray Council that there had been an incident at the site on the grounds of the Phoenix Centre on Queen Street.
Meg Jamieson, Buckie's Roots chairwoman, said: "On investigating we discovered that someone had been in and had slashed the skin of the poly.
"They had also been lighting fires and burning the skin, there was evidence of drug taking and the staging and benches had been destroyed with pots broken and watering cans melted by fire.
"Those responsible had also tried to get into our garage and keysafe, destroying the lock. After consulting the police we began the tidy up. We had been growing back up plants for our displays for the past five years and luckily we didn’t have plants in the poly.
"It’s sickening that this community resource was targeted in such a way, however we mucked in and got it tidied. We felt that the damage could be patched up and our plan was to get some items moved into storage and start the repair."
However, hopes that the project could be saved were to be cruelly dashed later that very evening.
Mrs Jamieson continued: "We were informed that these youths were back into the poly.
"The police were called again and when we went over we were met with a torrent of abuse and threatening behaviour from six youths as they ran off.
"This time the damage was worse. The poly had been ripped and burned beyond repair. The pots we were going to put to storage had been damaged and more staging had been smashed.
"More burn marks were noticed and it was at this point we decided enough was enough, we couldn’t take the risk of another attack by these youths as it had now become a real fire risk, so we decided the poly had to be taken down.
"The Buckie Men’s shed helped us take down the poly, and we are now looking at a total loss of both the poly and equipment. I'd also like to thank the Fishermen's Hall trustees who lent us items and to our own volunteers."
The attack has left Buckie's Roots with a stiff four-figure bill to replace all that's been lost.
Mrs Jamieson added: "The poly and equipment was purchased by funding when we began five years ago and to be truthful we are so disheartened by this we really need to think about what we are doing in the future.
"The cost to replace everything destroyed would be over £7000 and for a small charity it’s a massive amount to find. We now know we can’t risk putting up another one on this site as the same would happen again so not only do we have the loss but we are now going to think about re-siting our project to keep going.
"Disheartened and disgusted doesn’t cover it at the moment. We have always been and still are well supported by the community of Buckie and it’s not just a hit to us but to a community asset."
To find out more about Buckie's Roots, or to join their team of dedicated, award-winning volunteers, visit the group's Facebook page.
