Sheds appeal from pair hit by arsonists’ attack at town allotments site
TWO gardeners left devastated when arsonists destroyed sheds at their beloved Burton allotments have issued an appeal to get them replaced.
Matt Parkes and Tracy Crump were heartbroken when they arrived at their allotments at the Mona Land C Allotments, off Dallow Street, to find their sheds had been deliberately set on fire – and there was nothing left.
The gardeners were left with a huge clean-up operation after the arson attack on March 20, which they are still involved in now, including moving piles of charred debris.
But they are determined to carry on and have issued an appeal to anyone who may have any secondhand sheds they could donate to them so they can get back on their feet.
They are also hoping some kind person can transport them to the allotments as they do not have a big enough vehicle to do it themselves.
Mr Parkes said: “We are tidying up now. We had to hire a skip to get rid of the debris out of the allotment funds.
We are now hoping to secure a shed. We have been trawling through the freebay sites looking for second-hand sheds but they have either been sold quickly or we can’t transport them.
“We don’t have a big enough vehicle to be able to dismantle the shed and transport it but can try to get a van. So we are asking that if anyone is getting rid of their old garden shed that they consider us.
“I have contacted a few garden centres asking about ex-display ones but we have not had any joy.
We are just frustrated and disappointed and keep asking: why?
Matt Parkes
We are willing to pay a little bit.”
They are both looking for sheds of a maximum size of eight by six foot. Staffordshire Police are still investigating the arson attack which is believed to have started on the evening of Friday, March 19. Mrs Crump, whose plot was the worst affected, said not only was her shed razed to the ground but everything inside was destroyed too, including gardening tools and sentimental items passed down to her from her father, as well as rosettes and drawings by schoolchildren on the walls.
The fire also melted her chicken coop but amazingly her chickens survived the ordeal.
Mr Parkes added: “We are just frustrated and disappointed and keep asking: why? They didn’t want the equipment inside as nothing appears to have been stolen.”
Anyone who thinks they can donate a shed can email reporter Helen Kreft at helen.kreft@reach plc.com or call 01283 245032.