A municipal bin was thrown into Chalfont St Giles’ pond which had just been refurbished at the eyewatering cost of £113,000.
The village of Chalfont St Giles has suffered a spate of petty vandalism over the festive period including a bin being thrown into the newly refurbished pond. Work, funded by the precept part of residents’ council tax, to clear out the pond, replace its 30-year-old lining, refill it and landscape the surrounding area was near to completion when the bin was thrown.
The incident occurred after the Christmas Lighting Event on Saturday December 2. The pond had frozen over and Helen Griffiths, clerk for Chalfont St Giles Parish Council, believes the vandals may have been testing whether the ice was safe to walk on by throwing the bin on it first.
Councillors feared the bin, which had a concrete bottom, might have damaged the new liner but thankfully the ice seemed to have slowed its progress and prevented it from causing harm.
The village operated its Christmas tree trail in which trees, mounted on red boxes and created by 10 different charities, are dotted around the village. Residents then vote for their favourite tree on the trail and the winners receive a prize. Residents and councillors were shocked and upset to find one of the trees had been completely demolished. Tyre marks suggested it may have been smashed by a vehicle. Thankfully, a carpenter in the village came to the rescue and volunteered to repair the box.
The council add special toppers to the village pump to mark various occasions throughout the year. As their Christmas window competition theme was snowmen, they had added a small snowman to the top of the water pump. To add insult to injury, this was stolen between Christmas and New Year.
Helen describes many as disappointed and disheartened by this string of incidents. She said:
“The Council is just trying to make the village a better place and these petty acts destroy it for everyone.”
If you have any information about this matter, please contactclerk@chalfontstgiles-pc.gov.uk
0 Comments