Allotments are ripped apart (From Barry And District News)

Allotments are ripped apart

A BARRY gardener is thinking of throwing in the trowel after seeing his precious allotment trashed.

Alan Payne of St Mary's Avenue, saw ten years of hard work ruined when vandals wrecked his precious plots.

The Zeon Chemicals manager left his allotment, at the end of Eifion Close, on Friday but when he returned - just a few days later - it was in a terrible state.

He told the News: "I came home on Monday, October 28, the day after the terrible winds, and went to check on my allotments. One has a shed on it, and the other has my glasshouse, which I've built myself."

He was dismayed to find his glasshouse was in bits.

Mr Payne, 47, said: "At first I thought the wind had smashed it but there were big slabs of brick on the floor."

According to the gardener, it's not just his property suffering. Over the years the level of damage to many of the sheds at the allotments has increased.

This causes owners much stress and stops them enjoying what was once a peaceful and relaxing hobby.

Mr Payne adds that's it not the cost that is getting him down but the "principle of it all". He said: "I'm thinking of giving it all up. It only costs £9 a year for each plot, so it's not expensive. It's the effort put into it.

"I have to get the glass, then cut it to size which isn't easy. Clearing up the mess will take me a full week's work and only if the weather holds out. It's soul destroying."

PC Simon Rees of Barry police station said: "This is another case of mindless vandalism.

We are aware that allotments, because of their exposed positioning, are targets for this type of crime.

We appeal to anyone with information about the identity of the people involved in this crime to come forward."

If you have any information relating to this crime or any other, call Barry police station on 01446 734451 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.