Allotment targeted by vandals

The damaged polytunnel

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Vandals attacked an allotment being developed by veterans damaging a donated polytunnel.

When Veterans In Communities outreach worker Tony Stubbs went to the Status 4 All’s Leisure Garden and Allotments on Latrigg Crescent, Middleton, on Tuesday (13 September) he found that the poles holding the tunnel had been cut through.

He said: “Whoever caused this damage should be ashamed of themselves; this allotment is run for the community, disabled people and war veterans who served their country.

“They have not slashed the polythene, but instead gone in through the back and then cut the poles so when we arrived it was collapsed on one side.

“We used wood we had to shore up the poles that had been cut in two and then secured the polythene. The veterans were very upset by the damage that had been caused.

“I would like to thank everyone for turning up at the allotment today where they helped me fix the tunnel.”

VIC works with veterans and emergency services personnel to help with the transition from the forces to civilian life.

The allotment, which was only taken over by the charity a few weeks ago, is one of a number of projects run by VIC to help servicemen and women reintegrate into their community.

The polytunnel was donated by Rochdale Councillor Sue Smith.

Sue Smith, Status 4 All’s said: “It was the polytunnel that the Veterans in the Community had only that day put up.

“We have fixed it now and secured the access. We are lucky because this is the first time that they have ever been damaged in any way.”