Children are heartbroken after destructive vandals destroyed Ayrshire nursery by destroying memorial to dedicated staff member
Staff and children at an Ayr nursery were “heartbroken” after thugs ransacked their garden, leaving a trail of destruction.
The Cherry Tree Early Years Center in Dalmilling has seen its outdoor facility torn apart in a brutal attack.
Among the rubble, a memorial dedicated to a former Sylvia Brown nursery was destroyed as the children returned to find their garden “in ruins”.
Ayrshire Live can reveal that the nursery was targeted not once but twice last week on Thursday 22 July and again on Monday 26 July.
The garden which proved popular for children during the summer months was decimated, forcing staff to clean up the mess.
(Image: Cherry Tree EYC / South Ayrshire Council)
The destruction included damage to the garden shed, the broken mast of a sailboat in the playground
The memorial to Sylvia – a carved tree trunk with an owl above it, had the owl removed and left lying on the ground.
New fences installed at the Dalmilling Drive site were also washed away, along with plants and play equipment.
Jackie Kelly, director of the center, said: “We are all shocked and disappointed by this heartless act of vandalism. We take great pride in the excellent facilities that the local children have at the early childhood center and we regret that anyone spoils this. “
It is hoped that the operational CCTV at the center will help catch the vandals.
(Image: Cherry Tree EYC / South Ayrshire Council)
Angry adviser Ian Cavana criticized those responsible for “shame”.
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In a coup against the vandals, he said shocking images made him “sick”.
Labor adviser Ayr North told Ayrshire Live: “It is an absolute disgrace what these vandals have done – after the council has spent so much money on this nursery.
“Then someone’s going to do that – it’s just the crown jewel.”
“When I saw the photos on Facebook, I was disgusted, it’s just a shame for the children.
“They should just bring back the hanging – these thugs need a tougher deterrent.”
(Image: Cherry Tree EYC / South Ayrshire Council)
“I remember meeting Sylvia, she was a lovely woman who devoted so many years to Dalmilling, it’s disgusting that someone does that at her memorial.”
(Image: Cherry Tree EYC / South Ayrshire Council)
Nursery manager Jackie added, “The local community has come together and there have been offers of help. The police have been notified and we will do everything possible to help them identify those responsible.
“Our video surveillance system was fully operational at the time of the incident. Facility safety is always a top priority and constantly under review.
No one at Police Scotland was available to comment.
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