PENHILL residents have been left saddened after vandals uprooted and snapped some of the young trees in a community orchard.

The Penhill Orchard, which is based on an old allotment site off Westbury Road, next to Seven Fields School, is run by a community group and grows a variety of different fruit trees for residents to enjoy.

Depending on the season, residents can find apples, pears, plums, gages, blackcurrants, strawberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, raspberries, grapes and even figs among the planted beds, which are designed to attract the local wildlife.

But last week, six of the young trees were found uprooted or snapped, and one of the raised beds churned over, where someone had tried to break into one of the associated units.

In a message left on the group’s Facebook page, Penhill Orchard member Marilyn Beale said: “Sadly six trees have either been uprooted or broken off this week, one of the raised beds taken apart and they’ve also tried to break in the units, causing damage.

“It looks like the wood from the bed was used to try and open the door. We can repair the damage but that’s six trees that will take another five years to fruit.”

Swindon Advertiser:

Marilyn Beale pictured in the orchard before vandals struck

Marilyn later posted: “Unfortunately we do occasionally– not often – have to speak to children playing in the orchard, about trying to climb trees far too small for them. That happened last week, the young men concerned didn’t take kindly to being asked not to and moved to a different part of the orchard and carried on.

“It’s not just the work, we have to think about the cost of replacements.”

The damage has left members of the group disappointed and shocked, not least because of the work that is put into making the space an attractive and welcoming place for the whole community.

Andrew Field, another member of the Facebook group, also posted: “Had a look this morning. All the new trees planted have been damaged some snapped at base.

“The pear has been snapped at bottom but still standing but won’t last, also other branches twisted off and trees damaged by the gap in hedge to the spinny. Even the large plum tree branches have been snapped and twisted off and the entrance gate needs repairing again.

“So the vandals have killed all the new trees which were good quality and not cheap, purchased with grants, [they’ve] broken branches from older trees, years of growth, damage to the units.

“They have robbed the community of Penhill.”