‘Public spirited’ duo fix vandal-hit wall
JON MACPHERSON
TWO ‘Good Samaritans’ have been praised for helping to restore a ‘ hazardous’ wall after it was moved by vandals.
Shane Killaway, from Accrington, spotted a post on Facebook about the damage caused by nuisance pranksters along the Coppice footpath near to Arden Hall.
The county council builder, who is trained in dry stone walling, visited the area to make repairs to the 20-metre stretch of wall and was helped by his girlfriend’s son Christopher Jenkinson, who is a pupil at St Christopher’s High School.
The ‘public spirited’ pair have now been praised for their efforts by Hyndburn council.
Shane said: “Whoever it was had taken a lot of stones from the wall and thrown them across the path. It was hazardous more than anything. I’m a horse owner so I would’ve been concerned if I had to go over them with my horse.
“It was a sunny afternoon. I love my town and the countryside around us.
“I was brought up right and I have the skills to sort it out so that’s what we did. We’ve moved everything away from the pathway.
“It’s all be laid out ready for going back onto the walls.
“I will finish rebuilding it when I have the time because I work full-time.
“Christopher came up to give me a hand with it. He’s never done anything like that before. He enjoys working with me and is going into an apprenticeship next year.”
The incident happened sometime around Sunday, June 4, and Shane, 46, believes teenagers are responsible.
He said: “It must have taken a few hours to do what they’ve done.
“It’s probably some teenagers drinking up the Coppice.
“The mentality of people today, it’s totally different to when I was younger.
“A lot of the time it’s not the kids fault.
“It’s their upbringing, the way the community is nowadays.
“We don’t have a lot on for younger people and they get bored.
“I used to play up the Coppice when I was a kid. That was my playground. I feel that I have a duty to look after it. It’s a jewel in the borough’s crown.”
Ward councillor Joyce Plummer has the pair saying: “For somebody to do this out of his own personal time and with a 16-year-old boy is just a great credit and I thank them for it.
“I just wish a lot more people were a little more public spirited. They have done an excellent job.”