MINDLESS vandals in Pitmedden have left a trail of devastation after a wrecking spree over the course of the past month.
Grampian Police are investigating after a spate of incidents since June, which have included intentional flooding of the green, destruction of the club's flag, the theft of a cast iron bench, and damage to the green caused by someone throwing a woode
n bench onto the ground.
Secretary Ian Fraser spoke to the Times on Tuesday about the club's dismay at the vandalism.
"The damage to the green was mostly superficial, and I have managed to fix most of it myself. However, our club standard has been ripped, and has had to be sent away to be repaired. The vandals also attacked the 'bowling mannie' sign at the top of the path that leads down to the bowling club, and bent it out of shape."
"We know that this isn't the first time this has happened in the area: Pitmedden Gardens and the school have both suffered attacks in the past."
Mr Fraser and his fellow members met at the weekend to discuss possible ways of making the site safer.
"We have considered additional security measures, but how safe can you make a bowling green? We don't want to erect fences all around it, which wouldn't be nice for the neighbours, and we have to bear in mind the visual aspect of the green. What we decided was to install a gate on the clubhouse porch - which we believe the vandals have been using as a shelter - and fit CCTV cameras around the building to monitor what is happening."
Having spoken to the police, Mr Fraser says that the attack at the Bowling Club is only the latest in a long line of vandals' attacks in the otherwise idyllic village, and that the issue has been ongoing for around two years. He understands that the source of the problem is a group of youngsters in the village, who the police have previously spoken to, and who are now approaching their mid teens.
"One of the officers told me that there is a known problem in Pitmedden, and that they have a rough idea of the group involved," said Mr Fraser. "They seem to have migrated to the bowling club because the other places they would be inclined to wreck have been secured."
"The police say that they will be investigating, and that they are having words with known troublemakers."
"We just want this to stop. We are hosting an important tournament in August, and we want to keep the club in pristine condition for it."
A spokesman for the police told the Times: "Grampian Police are investigating two vandalisms at Pitmedden Bowling Club, Bothwell Terrace, Pittmedden.
On both occasions the green was vandalised causing
significant damage. The first incident took place between Tuesday July 14 and Wednesday July 15 and the second between 4:30 pm on Friday July 23 and 10:30 am on Sunday July 25. The investigation into this incident is ongoing and police are following a number of lines of enquiry.
"This was a selfish act of vandalism that shows a complete lack of respect or thought for the considerable inconvenience and costs this has caused for the local community. I would appeal for anyone who saw anything suspicious around the time of either of these incident or who may have any information relating to this to get in touch with police as soon as possible."
