Just thought you all would like to know that there was an article in the Express & Star (local paper) about Sandwell Valley, I can't find it on their site so have had to type it out!
The cost of damage to a Black Country beauty spot destroyed by arsonists has hit £500,000, it has been revealed.
The news of the scale of the damage to the visitor centre of the RSPB reserve in Sandwell Valley comes at it emerged the site has been a target for vandalsim since last month's blaze, forcing the reserve to emply night-time secutiry guards to patrol the site.
The fire was started between 5pm on March 26 and 2:30am on March 27.
A portable toilet outside the visitor centre was set alight and the fire spread to into the building, destroying half its roof. The visitor centre, which is located off Tanhouse Lane in Great Barr has remained closed since.
The attack came as a major £120,000 re-furbishment was being carried out.
RSPB assistant site manager Chris Edwards said security had been stepped up after a number of other attacks. he said: "We have had a number of other instances of vandalism on the site in the last few days. Somebody has tried to break into the hide and somebody has built a shelter next to our storage unit here and have used materials which they have found elsewhere.
Someone has also set fire to the reed bed - the area the size of a football pitch was destroyed and they have ripped off a bird box.
We have now taken on a security company and they are going to patrol the site in the evenings just so that we can safeguard the rest of the site for the community and the thousands of people who enjoy this every year. because we are a charity it is all costs that we could do without," he said.
He added there were now plans to erect a temporary classroom so school bookings and other activities would not need to be cancelled.
Police have said the damage is estimated to be at least half a million pounds. He said "We are still calculating the cost of the damage. The underwriters are with us at the moment to discuss the way forward."
Anyone with any information about the attacks should call Sgt Kym Brieley at West Bromwich police station on 045 113 5000 ext 79116370.
I don't know if I was more saddened or sickened by reading this article; not only has some <insert chosen word here> set fire to the visitor centre they've also gone onto cause a trail of destruction across the whole reserve!
It makes me so angry. I hope these lowlives are caught and given the punishment they deserve!
I'm hoping to pay a visit to Sandwell tomorrow and will see the devastation caused with my own eyes. Such a shame.
Hi Paul,
Yep it stinks don't it. There's a big vermin problem there!
Yes, vermin of the non furry types with hairless flesh
We all need to set traps so they die in pain.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
speechless really.. I mean its so pointless.
They have to be caught, hurt and prosecuted or they will never stop.
Gits.
So sorry to read the article Paul. I can never understand what enjoyment 'they' get from such actions. Is it drugs, drink or just sheer vandalism!
What a very sad report Paul. I get so angry when I read about wantant vandalism and cruelty, I am just pleased I will not be around to see the next generation of mindless thugs grow into adulthood. Lets get the wacky baccy out start a fire, hey isn't it great Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!! and we will bring our kids up the same way. Sorry for being so passionate about the subject, I just hope the good kids (of which there are many) come through and save the world!!
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
Hi all,
I hope this isn't too heavy for these pages!
I think my previous post shows how I feel about this. But, while I'm in no way attempting to play down the effects of substance abuse, I'm not sure whether this is major factor here. Close to my home, is a beautiful heathland SSSI, one of the last, remaining fragments of Lowland Heath in Worcs. I've known the place since childhood and the reserve was one of the sites I assisted in managing in later life. A lot of restoration work has taken place on the site, and, a couple of years ago, this was rewarded with the presence of breeding Woodlark; a brilliant record for this location. Sadly, no more breeding has been recorded.
Unfortunately, the reserve is bordered by a housing estate, which is, apparently, ranked 16th nationally for social depravation. Every year this little jewel of a place comes under attack from a variety of sources: People of varying age with airguns, fly tipping, vandalism, motorcycling, uncontrolled dogs/owners, and of course, arson. Eight year olds have been witnessed starting fires. This has been going on since I was a kid, and all those years ago few children had access to illegal substances.
These behaviours are passed down the generations and, in my opinion, spring from the same root; a complete disregard for anything other than their own selfish desires, as a direct result of of deliberate under-education. The economic society we live in relies on "natural wasteage", and if we were all given the knowledge to enable us to find "better" jobs, what would the money men do for factory fodder? So we continue to pay the price of this when this "waste product" gets out of control.
This said, I find an intriguing comparison between those who destroy our environment as a result of ignorance, or just plain wickedness, and those who do it simply for profit in the way that ("educated") big business does. And, is there any difference whatsoever twixt someone with an airgun who blows a Blackbird away, just for the fun of it, and one who does it to a Pheasant?
MC
Well I didn't want to go that far Mickey but I have to agree with most of what you say.
Thanks Judi,
I think the difference today is that those attempting to remonstrate with the miscreants are more likely to have a knife pulled on them! As in the experience of some of my former colleagues. The site in question is part of the Natural England Grazing Animals Project. It can be quite "educational" sitting in a land rover in the dark trying to guard the cattle from god knows what!
All the best
I went to Sandwell Valley today and although after reading the reports where it more or less said half of the building had been destroyed, in person it looked much worse than I'd imagined.
From the front:
From the opposite side of the lake, looking at the back:
It just beggars belief to see it like this, I had my sister with me and she too could not see what anyone could get out of it.
Think you have gone to far there Micky,if I read it right you are implying all factory fodder as you put it(disrespectful in the extreme)are lowlife likely to kill and despoil things.Really over the top.Surely many factory workers are wildlife lovers going out in the country at weekends to enjoy themselves.