Racist motive blamed for attacks

May 24 2002 By Helen Harper, Caernarfon And Denbigh Herald

THREE windows were smashed last week, in what the owner believes is a race related attack, despite his efforts to fit into the community.

George Nevison, of Deiniolen, has had a string of attacks on his property by local youths, and he believes it is because he is English.

Mr Nevison explained: "I have tried to make a contribution to the life of the community by setting up a workshop, I have written an article for the community newspaper Eco'r Wyddfa, and I have taken a course to learn Welsh.

"But there has been a long, sustained campaign to drive me out of the village by a handful of youths."

Mr Nevison moved into premises above a shop in the village nearly three years ago, previously living in Bethesda.

He was asked if he would open the empty shop and provide facilities for young people, for a provisional period, which he was more than happy to do.

After this period, he sent 450 bilingual questionnaires around the village to see what the interest was for a project called Y Caban, where different art activities could take place, including traditional slate carving, but he only received three replies.

He continued: "I am not just an Englishman moving into the area with the entirely selfish purpose of enjoying the mountain landscape. I wanted to do something for the community.

"This was an artistic and cultural outreach, but they have shown contempt for me and for culture. It was a display of barbarism."

The police have been called to Mr Nevison's property a number of times to deal with vandalism, primarily broken windows from footballs being kicked at the building.

"I am not going to throw good money after bad. I'm strongly tempted to board it up and do nothing with it. Security shutters would cost me £3,000 and I can't afford that.

"The shop is to let and somebody is interested in letting it. If she asks for a viewing, I can't show her this place and I can't afford to replace the windows because they are not covered by domestic insurance.

"If this had not happened, there was a good possibility that it could have been let.

"It's not easy to find people who want to rent in this area."

Sergeant Alan Jones, of Llanberis Police Station, said: "I can't stress enough how important it is for the community to stand against youths that are causing a disturbance and damage in the community.

"The police can take positive action and witnesses will be protected. Please contact the police at Llanberis in confidence.

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