Owners of a tranquil retreat in The Byes have blasted the behaviour of ‘mindless vandals’ after the area was targeted for the second time in a little over a year.
Two beech trees were pushed over in the award-winning Golden Copse in Margaret’s Meadow at some point over the weekend of October 17 / 18.
A volunteer working party from the Sid Vale Association (SVA) was made aware of the damage on Monday (October 19) morning and removed the felled trees.
The area was planted with trees producing golden foliage in January 2003 to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
The living memorial was organised by the SVA and was funded by donations from residents and businesses.
SVA vice chairman Ed Harrison said: “We will not be bowed by these mindless vandals.
“We always replace or repair and we will continue to do so.
“Why there are people in our society who think it is a big laugh to damage what we try to do for the environment, we are at a loss to know. It is not the money so much as the irritation - we are very proud of Sidmouth and its heritage.”
In August last year, vandals ripped wooden signs from fences in the copse, caused fire damage to a pair of trees and ‘burnt’ a phallic symbol into the grass.
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