Fury as slabs stolen at memorial gardens

THIEVES have ripped up dozens of paving slabs at Whitworth Memorial Gardens on the weekend of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

The raiders struck overnight between 4pm on July 3 and 9am on July 4, removing about 45 flag stones.

Residents say they have been left ‘devastated’ by the destruction of the gardens which were renovated by Whitworth and Healey Horticultural Society four years ago.

The group received a £50,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Spaces programme.

Distraught members of the society say the gardens have been ‘ruined’ and they won’t be able to raise the amount of cash required for a second makeover.

Anita Farrow, the society’s treasurer, said she is appalled by what has happened. She said: “We put in an awful lot of work to get the grant and it’s absolutely disgusting. Whoever has done this is the lowest of the low.

“It was a struggle to raise the money to make the park look how it does now, and there was also a lot of volunteer manpower ●● The mess left by thieves at Whitworth Memorial Gardens from various authorities. Whitworth Town Council and Rossendale Council were proud of what was achieved and its been destroyed by low-lifes.”

Anita added that the stone flags were chosen to reflect the history and heritage of the area, but the replacements may be concrete to prevent a repeat of the theft.

She added: “I requested stone because it’s a stone valley. The people who lost their lives in the First World War would have worked in the quarry, or their families would have done. Never in my wildest dreams did I think anybody would do that at the memorial park – and at the weekend everyone was remembering the Somme makes it even worse.”

Contact police on 101.