Jubilee trees vandalised in Peebles’ Victoria Park
Angry park users condemn the ‘pointless’ damage
VANDALS have been condemned after trees planted in a Peebles park to mark a special milestone were damaged.
Saplings were put into the ground at Victoria Park in 2012 in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee – the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne.
This month, members of campaign group Save Victoria Park noticed that the tops of a number of trees had been snapped off.
A spokesperson said: “It’s so disappointing that someone would do this, particularly as those trees were planted by the community.
“If people use the park, they should respect the nature that makes it special.”
Back in 2012, that year’s golden anniversary Beltane Queen, Sandra McGrath, joined dozens of families to plant 420 saplings in the park.
Sandra – joined by her daughter Sarah, also a former Beltane Queen – instituted a Royal Oak. At the time she said: “It really is a great event to be part of today. I walk through this area a lot with my dog, so I will be making regular detours to keep an eye on the progress of all the trees, including the Royal Oak.”
The trees were donated by the Borders Forest Trust and Scottish Borders Council.
Tweeddale East councillor Julie Pirone reported the recent damage to Police Scotland.
She said: “It is extremely disappointing that these trees to mark the late Queen’s Diamond Jubilee have been vandalised and broken.”
Park user Catriona Hamilton said that people had witnessed the trees being damaged.
“I know there has been an ongoing issue with antisocial behaviour in Peebles which is trying to be addressed,” she added.
A member of the public, who did not want to be named, said of the vandalism: “That’s annoying and really sad – what a pointless act.”
All three Tweeddale East councillors – Ms Pirone, Robin Tatler and Marshall Douglas – also put out a joint statement which read: “We condemn any form of vandalism in Victoria Park and would remind anyone who witnesses this to report it to the Police using
the 101 system by phone or online.
“It does appear, however, that on closer inspection these two trees appear to have stopped growing some considerable time ago.
“Our parks maintenance team propose to remove the dead trees and replace them with new trees in a different location in the park.
“We are sure that this proposal will be welcomed by those involved in the original planting, but we will consult with them and Peebles Community Council before doing this.”
Police Scotland was asked for a comment.