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09
Jul 2020
Vandals rip out chunks from Valley Gardens sculptures
Vandals have ripped out large chunks of wood from sculptures in Valley Gardens dedicated to Harrogate's links with New Zealand.
Both the kiwi bird and the carved Maori bench were missing large chunks when The Stray Ferret visited the gardens today.
There are some chippings close to the carved Maori bench indicating that the damage was deliberate.
Ann Beeby, the secretary for the Friends of Valley Gardens, told The Stray Ferret she feared that the sculptures could not be repaired or replaced:
Harrogate Borough Council has told The Stray Ferret that it will look into whether the sculptures can be repaired.
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Councillor Andy Paraskos, the cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:
The New Zealand Garden commemorates Harrogate's twinning with Wellington and the country's airmen stationed in the town during World War Two.
The garden dates back to 1954 and chainsaw sculptor Mick Burns carved the Marlin, Kiwi, and bench in 2010.
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