HEARTLESS vandals have snapped a sapling at a community orchard project just two days after it was planted by children from a primary school.
Pupils from Brownsover Community School planted the first trees of the Brownsover Fruit Trail in Criss Cross Park on Friday (March 2).
But by Sunday morning, one of the saplings had been destroyed.
Warwickshire County Council’s Coton and Boughton ward representative Coun Alan Webb said he was appalled to see good work by residents and local children had been vandalised.
He said: “I was horrified that such damage could be done so soon.
“Its just mindless vandalism. I for one have been fighting for such a wonderful amenity, and then someone adopts the ‘its not mine so I’ll break it’ attitude.
“It’s enough to make me ask myself if it’s really worth it.”
He said he would demand that police actively monitor the site and catch the vandals responsible at this week’s Rugby Town North Community Forum.
He added: “The community in this area deserve more respect. I shall insist they are not let down.”
Local resident Gordon Irvine, who discovered the damage alongside Coun Webb, said: “I was disappointed to see that the tree was broken, and when Alan explained that this is a community project, I was even more disappointed.”
The Brownsover Fruit Trail expands Rugby Borough Council’s edible borders project, which creates community gardens where residents can grow herbs, fruit and vegetables.
The trail includes around 150 apple, pear, plum and damson trees. The council plans to introduce trails elsewhere in the borough.
At the launch on Friday, Rugby Borough Council environment spokeswoman Coun Sally Bragg said: “The council’s edible borders project has gone from strength to strength since its launch last year and has inspired communities to grow their own fruit and vegetables.
“The Brownsover Fruit Trail is an innovative and exciting expansion of the project and it was great to see the school children keeping in touch with nature and giving a helping hand.
“The trees will produce free fresh fruit for the community while out walking for years to come.”
On Friday, Coun Sally Bragg and children from Brownsover Community School were celebrating the fruits of their labour as they planted the first saplings of the Brownsover Fruit Trail in Criss Cross Park.
