KIND-HEARTED helpers came forward to move a heavy picnic bench back to its original position following more vandalism at a dale beauty spot.
Marwood Parish Council spent thousands of pounds to make the bandstand area of Flatts Wood more attractive for residents and visitors alike, but it has also caught the attention of vandals.
In February, one of the picnic tables was yanked from its anchor-spikes and taken into the River Tees. Vandals also damaged one of the seats by melting it.
Cllr Paul Glasper said the table was originally carried to the riverside. In a second incident, it was later carried into the waterway before some thoughtful people fished it out of the river, but it remained on the bank.
She believes vandals were able to pull the anchors out of the ground when the it was soaked through during recent wet weather.
She said: “To say I’m upset is an understatement.
“Whoever moved it in the first place have had use of it for quite some time and they could have kept it there but why, oh why, put it in the river?
“It doesn’t make sense, it’s senseless
“I am most grateful for the strong, sensible persons who retrieved the table for me and returned it to the bandstand.”
Cllr Glasper added that she had ordered new anchor-spikes to secure the table again now it has been returned to its original position.
The councillor added that the beauty spot had become more popular since work was done to clear vegetation and add the furniture.
She said: “It is getting better all the time and more and more people are using it. It is just a small few spoiling it for everyone else.”
