Couple give fire-hit den fairytale end
PARK’S MAGICAL PLACE TO BE REBUILT AFTER VANDALS ATTACK
A MAGICAL forest ‘fairy den’ that captured the hearts of children is set to rise from the ashes after being burnt down.
For many youngsters, no trip to Etherow Country Park in Compstall, Stockport, was complete without paying a visit to the fairy den.
The woodland structure was created out of logs and foliage by couple Steve and Sheila Swarbrick six years ago.
It soon caught the imagination of young visitors, who started bringing gifts to leave for fairies, including toys, ornaments and even their baby teeth for the tooth fairy.
It also became a special place for adult visitors, who would share messages of thanks in a book the Swarbricks left in the den, including a couple who visited every year to remember the child they lost.
But last week, families were left heartbroken after the den was completely destroyed by a fire.
It came just weeks after the den had to be rebuilt after it was kicked down by vandals.
The couple were so disappointed that they initially decided not to rebuild the den.
But after reading messages of support from visitors on the den’s Facebook page, they changed their minds.
Now the Swarbricks, who both work at Stepping Hill Hospital, are hard at work rebuilding it where they can around their shifts.
Steve said: “It had been there for five or six years and no one knew it was us.
“The pleasure we get from it are the letters and comments people leave in the books.
“Adults love it just as much as the kids. Someone was going every year to remember the baby they lost.”
For years the couple chose not to reveal that they had created the fairy den, but after the vandalism in August, Steve started a Facebook page.
Within days of the den being burnt down, more than 700 people joined the page to share their memories of it.
Steve says he does not need any money to help rebuild the den and has asked those who have offered donations to instead give to a fund set up by Joanne Farrell at the Windsor Castle pub in Marple, in aid of the Laurel Suite at Stepping Hill Hospital.