Dismay as vandals spoil festive lights display in village

Vandals who are trying to take the Christmas cheer out of Invergowrie by repeatedly destroying their community Christmas lights display have been blasted.

The community raised funds to buy and install small fairy lights on the lamp- posts around the village.

One evening last week, a set of the festive illuminations were damaged, and on a second night 10 more sets of lights were damaged. Some were reparable but many were not and had to be replaced.

These battery-operated lights had been attached to lamp-posts around Errol Road and had been paid for entirely through local fundraising.

Light son Johnston Avenue opposite the pavilion and on Mylnefield Road and Park Road have also been targeted.

Residents have lambasted the destructive miscreants on the village’s Facebook group.

Louise Mackenzie, who chairs Invergowrie Community Group behind the lights project, said: “It really is disappointing that this has happened.

“The group have tried this year to bring more lights to the village to brighten up what has been a terrible 2020 and mindless vandals are trying to ruin it all for everyone.

“A large number of our group are retired ladies who have really put their heart and soul into the project and for them especially, this is ver y disheartening.”

Carse of Gowrie councillor Angus Forbes says this latest string of incidents is not helping the village.

The Conservative added: “I was really saddened to learn that these lights were vandalised and the community members have had to fund replacements.

“Invergowrie has been in the news a lot over the last few weeks with vandalism and a very serious assault.

“It’s really not worth asking the police to investigate this but I hope that the people responsible appreciate that while this mindless vandalism may give them a bit of amusement for a f ew minutes, it really does cost money and is very upsetting to the residents who went to the effort to have them installed.

“This year of all, people need something to look forward to at Christmas and Invergowrie looks really nice with the lights up around the town, it’s such a shame that they were vandalised this way.

“I am grateful to the members of the community who rallied round to replace these lights.”

UPSET: Councillor Angus Forbes beside one of the lamp-posts where the festive lights had to be replaced after being damaged by vandals. Picture by Kim Cessford.