Stevenston community garden trashed by vandals

The community and memory garden at Hayocks Hall was left in chaos with furniture overturned, fencing torn down, and plants ripped from their pots.

Lesley Anderson, who sits on the centre’s committee, told the Herald: “It’s a shame, they have no respect for their community, if that’s the way they’re wrecking things.

“It makes me sick when we’re only there to help our community and Hayocks Hall.”

The centre, on Hyslop Road, has been closed but when workers entered the fenced garden area they were shocked by the destruction before them.

A social media post from Stevenston North Association read: “To the kids that think this is acceptable, it is not.

“Just to let you know that you are on camera and police will be chapping your parents’ doors.

“Just because the building isn’t opened doesn’t mean it gives you the right to trash it.”

A community cafe, providing rolls for only £1, was set up but had to shut down because of COVID-19.

Ms Anderson said: “We’re doing our best to make the Hayocks a community again the way it used to be.

“As the Hayocks is poverty stricken, we made all the rolls a pound and we were hoping, on the nice days, we could have had a nice garden where the mums could sit and the kids could play.”

Community groups had worked together and the memory garden had been decorated with bamboo fencing, potted plants, picnic tables and kids toys.

Ms Anderson said:”Now we will need to start again, but we will get there as a community.

“All the people in the Hayocks TARA (Tenants’ And Residents’ Association) and the community centre association are partners as we both want what’s best for our community.

“We will all chip in to get it looking good again, I hope.”