Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

A community has pulled together to help repair a church garden after vandals broke memorial benches and dug up flower beds just days before a Green Flag inspection.

The community garden at St Andrew’s Church in Penyrheol was attacked in the early hours of Tuesday, May 17, according to residents.

After hearing about the damage, Penyrheol ward councillor Steve Skivens headed to the park, alongside community councillor Jane Davies Ellis, to attempt to fix some of the damage.

Cllr Skivens said: “Kids were seen by residents in and around the garden. 

“They must have been there for sometime because of the damage to both the garden and the church itself.

“Guttering had been ripped off and memorial benches smashed up. The sensitivity of it is what has upset residents most.”

Although some permanent damage was done, the community did what it could and the Green Flag inspection went ahead as planned on Thursday, May 19 – with the verdict set to be announced in the coming weeks.

Cllr Skivens added: “This place runs on a tight budget. They’ve done lots of work supporting the homeless and residents in general. It’s a shame.

“Why would someone want to do this?”

Operations manager at the church, Nerys Beckett, told Caerphilly Observer how distressing the whole event had been.

“It’s very sad that something like this has happened. We’ve had an onslaught of community help and we’re doing what we can.

“I just hope that the judges will be kind.”

Caerphilly Observer contacted Green Flag to ask if the situation would be taken into account by the judges. A spokesperson said: “We were saddened to hear about the senseless vandalism at Penyrheol Community Park.

“The site has held the prestigious Green Flag Community Award for more than seven years and it provides so much joy to so many people.”

They added: “It’s inspiring to know that the volunteers aren’t going to let the selfish actions of a small group hold them back.

“We will arrange for one of our Green Flag judges to visit the site again soon and wish all the volunteers the very best of luck.”