Heartbreak as Forest School is vandalised

Buy photos » Vandals have damaged a brand new Forest school in Evesham. This picture shows Ocean Hatton, three, with mum Roxanne Hatton enjoying the school before the vandalism took place. (s)

CHILDREN and staff at a Vale Children's centre have been left heartbroken after their brand new Forest School was vandalised.

Staff at the Orchard and Spring Vale Children's Centre in Evesham were shocked to find vandals had destroyed a fence, left rubbish on the ground and stolen wooden planks during an inspection at the new St Richard's Coppice site.

The vandalism comes just months after the centre received funding for the children to use the outdoor school. But because of the damage and mess left the children's first session using the Forest School had to be cancelled.

While the damage is repaired the children will miss out on den making, climbing, running and exploring woodland area.

In recent months the staff had been working hard getting the site ready by setting up a tyre swing, dens, willows tunnel, tool area, fire pit, seating area and digging pit.

Karen Green, children's centre manager, said: "Parents and children were very upset by the vandalism and that the first session was cancelled.

"Increasingly children are spending less time playing outside, which can lead to a reduction in physical activity. We promote outdoor play and have a well-designed garden at our centre, but this site offers families even more opportunity to explore and experience their natural environment."

Staff at the children's centre are now planning to run their first session in a couple of weeks time.

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