Fly-tipping, vandals and thefts at beauty spot

A FIFE beauty spot has been hit by thieves, vandals and fly-tippers d u r i n g we e k s of a nt i s o c i a l behaviour.

Since lockdown began, workers at Silverburn Park in Leven have put up with the theft of plants, trees and logs, people dumping their rubbish, dog fouling and vandalism.

Manager Martin McDonald said the community is rallying round and matters are improving but the series of i ncidents had been disheartening.

He said: “For the third time, we have lost valuable plants within days of putting them i n the ground.

“People have taken advantage of lockdown by loading their cars with the logs that were meant to earn us an income to improve the park.

“Folk, who are practically our neighbours, in broad daylight, have taken barrow-loads of wood chips to their vegetable plot.”

Martin said a member of staff had found youths inside a locked compound chopping up firewood to steal and then found another gang “booting” the gates into a walled garden. She said it felt lawless,” he added.

Silverburn is managed by mental health charity Fife Employment Access Trust (Feat).

Staff are renovating the walled garden and creating a campsite and have already established allotments, opened a cafe and started annual festivals.

They have now organised a fundraising raffle to boost their efforts, with prizes including a stay in the park’s new eco-pods when they open and a portrait by local artist Lesley Mellon. To enter visit silverburnpark.co.uk and click the “donate” button. One entry per each £5 donation.