'Heartbreak' for youngsters as project is vandalised
A Barry-based horticultural .jpg "ruined polytunnel")
project through
which youngsters have supported a range of local good causes has
been badly hit by vandals.
During the recent Bank Holiday weekend,
vandals ruined a greenhouse-size polytunnel in the garden area of
the Youth Offending Service's Salisbury Road headquarters in Barry.
The polytunnel contained a variety of salad items, including
tomatoes and cucumbers, peppers and herbs, which were pulled out
and destroyed.
Above: Youth Offending Service reparation
co-ordinator Mark Robertson surveys the ruined polytunnel at the
Salisbury Road headquarters in Barry.
The highly successful horticultural project
has been run for the last three years by youngsters who have
offended or are at risk of offending, during which time a variety
of items have been donated to various residential homes and
charities in the area.
The destroyed items were destined for the
Rondel House day centre in Barry which has recently enjoyed a
splendid garden makeover thanks to a team effort by the Vale of
Glamorgan Council and Visible Crew which brings together
representatives from the Youth Offending Service, probation
service, police, fire service and the enforcement team who work in
partnership to improve the local environment.
Reparation co-ordinator Mark Robertson said:
"It is heartbreaking for these youngsters to see this damage after
they have spent so many hours working and making good use of the
facility. We have been absolutely delighted with the commitment of
numerous youngsters who have been involved."
However, YOS is determined to carry on with
the project, and Mr Robertson said: "This is a very important part
of our work and we will now be trying to identify how we can cover
the replacement costs."