Vandals attack Old Colwyn garden sculpture

Jun 17 2010 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

Wynn Park, Colwyn Bay

VANDALS have caused outcry after smashing an impressive slate sculpture beyond repair which was the centre piece of a £90,000 garden.

The ornament was put up five years ago at Wynn Gardens by the Old Colwyn Environment Federation but has been hacked by yobs who used rocks to chip away at the sculpture.

The vandals have also defaced nearby wall plaques as well as the slate by scratching its polished surfaced.

The federation’s chairman, Cliff Prout passed away last August aged 79 after suffering from cancer and was the chief fundraiser for the sculpture, as well as countless environmental projects in the village.

However the picturesque park is used as a hangout by gangs of youths to drink in the evenings.

The sculpture was the central piece of a £90,000 revamp for Wynn Gardens which saw a new gate, wall, plaques, slate fountain and wooden arbor erected in 2005, after fundraising by Mr Prout and the environment federation.

David Curtis is a member of the Old Colwyn Environment Federation and discovered the damage.

“A public work of art has been ruined – it can’t be repaired, it is awful,” he said.

“I think it is an absolute disgrace people can sink so low to do such a thing. It is smooth stone, it can’t be repaired, it as simple as that.”

Old Colwyn councillor Cheryl Carlisle said Mr Prout would have been saddened by the damage.

“I’ve been down to have a look at the damage to the slate ornament, it is very sad because Cliff Prout put so much love into the garden, I’m sure the vandals don’t realise the impact it has, it is mindless,” she said.

“The Old Colwyn Environment Federation and Cliff Prout worked very hard and he would be very saddened. Cliff raised the funds, it was his idea to put the ornament there, a terrific amount of hard work went into putting it there.”

The attack on the sculpture follows on-going problems with gangs of youths drinking, littering and causing damage in Old Colwyn during the long summer evenings. Just last week Colwyn Bay’s new inspector Paul McKeown vowed to clamp down on drunken anti-social behaviour.

A resident living on Wynn Avenue was too frightened of repercussions to be named but said: “It is such a lovely park, it is a shame – why would anyone deface it? People have gone to so much trouble to make it beautiful, but sometimes the park is used by gangs as a hangout.”

Sgt Alison Guillemin of North Wales Police condemned those who damaged the sculpture and said it had spoilt work by the volunteers.

“The residents take pride in their environment and actively work in it to keep the gardens tidy, colourful and well kept. It’s a shame a tiny minority are choosing to destroy the good work put in by these people who volunteer their services.”