Vandals destroy sculptures on a popular family trail in Stanton Park
The aftermath of a vandalism rampage at Stanton Park can be clearly seen as many of his beloved wooden sculptures were left charred and in pieces.
This is the third attack in 12 months on public artwork created by sculptor Darren Tilley in his spare time and donated to the park run by Swindon Borough Council for public enjoyment.
The incidents also follow a previous arson attack on the beekeeper’s site which caused £22,000 in damage and killed several hives of bees.
Lily: Shock as Swindon Bee Group equipment destroyed in fire
Members of the public have once again reacted with anger and dismay upon discovering that popular attractions in the national park have once again been thoughtlessly damaged.
Serious damage was done to the sculpture of the Triton
The two damaged pieces were Triton, which had already been damaged following an act of vandalism in February but repaired and put back in place in May and the array of underwater creatures on a fallen tree.
Lily: Stanton Park ‘Neptune’ sculpture decapitated
Lily: Triton sculpture in Stanton Park returns after vandalism
Triton had again been decapitated, his arm which bore a trident had been torn off and he had been knocked down from his podium.
On the fallen tree, an eel had its tail sheared off, a turtle had been blown to pieces, a ‘Nemo’ clownfish had been snapped and partially burned and a sea lion had a fin removed.
Damage to various parts of the underwater sculpture
There was also evidence of a large bonfire that had completely destroyed a nearby tree stump.
Several of the people taking advantage of the park after the wave of vandalism spoke out against the behavior and expressed their disappointment.
A mum who regularly visits the park with her children and enjoys visiting the wooden carvings with them said: “They were so upset and disappointed when they saw what had happened and they couldn’t understand why anyone would do something like that.”
remains of a fire
Another park goer, Stephen Jamie, said: “It’s appealing isn’t it, all that work has been destroyed and for what? I don’t understand why anyone would want to be so destructive, mean and nasty.”
In addition to the previous attack on Triton in February, the Every Cloud Caterpillar sculpture was discovered in pieces in October 2020 and the beekeeping area was set on fire in March 2020.
Lily: Beekeeper reacts as arson charges against three youths are dropped by CPS
Three people were charged with arson, but the case was dropped due to insufficient evidence.
