SENSELESS
Shock and anger after community hut targeted
Vandals have caused damage to a 100-year-old hut which is used by children’s groups and was refurbished three years ago in a £20,000 project .
Residents reacted with dismay last week following the incident behind Our Lady and St Ninian’s Church in Quakerfield, Bannockburn.
It appears that bricks from a nearby wall were thrown at the building damaging the hut’s glass windows, wooden window frames and cladding.
The hut is used by Rainbows, Guides, Brownies and a Boys’ Brigade company.
The damage was discovered by a Brownie leader opening up the premises about 6.30pm on Wednesday January 31.
Bannockburn Community Council secretary Tommy Cattigan said this week: “It’s very sad. People are in disbelief.
“They cannot understand why anyone would want to damage the hut.
“It’s maddening after all the hard work to arrange funding for the project – and the amount of time members of the community gave up to carry out the refurbishment to save the building for community use.”
The hut was refurbished inside and out during a two-year project costing around £20,000.
During that time it had to close as part of the floor had rotted. The work also included roof improvements, better insulation and downpipes as well as an extension, bigger kitchen and renewed toilets including disabled facilities.
The money for the revamp came from the National Lottery, Stirling Council Community Pride Fund and Stirling and Clackmannan Enterprise Fund and the project was backed by Bannockburn Community Council and Bannockburn Friends of Guiding.
Mr Cattigan pointed out that materials would now have to be purchased to repair the recent damage and asked anyone who wished to assist to email him at t.cattigan2350@gmail.com
Stirling Police this week confirmed that the matter had been reported to them and asked anyone with information to call the 101 non-emergency number.
It’s very sad. People are in disbelief.