Local councillors and the voluntary organisation which oversees Werneth Low Country Park have expressed their disappointment after vandals have struck again at the Hyde beauty spot.
Since the early spring sunshine has emerged over the last few days, the hard work of dedicated volunteers at the country park has been undone by dry stone walls being knocked over, fire damage to grass and broken bottles left where dog walkers pass by and children play.
It follows multiple incidents last summer, when the gradual easing of lockdown and hot weather led to anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and discarded BBQs causing concern.
Hyde Werneth councillors Phil Chadwick and Ruth Welsh have again reiterated their plea for people to show the area more respect.
They told the Reporter: “Werneth Low country park is a beautiful part of the borough and is enjoyed by thousands of people each year. It’s disappointing that a small minority, as they did last year, set out to ruin others’ enjoyment.
“We’re saddened to see broken glass in the fields where dogs run and children play and setting fires on top of the country park. Whether the ground is wet or not, this should just not happen.
“Volunteers spend hours on Werneth Low to make it enjoyable for us all. Seeing their work with the dry stone walls pushed over shows contempt for the park and they should have more respect!”
Some of the damage done by the vandals
Frank Gradwell is the Chair of the Werneth Low Country Park Joint Management Committee, which comprises of eight Tameside Council representatives – including Councillor Chadwick – and five from Hyde War Memorial Trust.
Frank said the repeated vandalism is “an abuse of our time and efforts” but feels there’s no solution to the issue without the area being manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Frank, who lives at the bottom of Werneth Low, told the Reporter: “It’s a never-ending problem. Frankly, there’s no recourse against it. If people had to face up to the responsibilities of their actions, there might be an answer to the problem.
“But they walk away free as air and leave organisations like ours – which is voluntary – to pick up the pieces. The trust is manned by volunteers and the conduct of these people throws it back in our faces.
“There is no reputable answer, nothing carries weight. At the end of the day, we are doing our best to look after the park and make sure that when we’re allowed to reopen, we’re in a fit condition to do so.
“I wasn’t aware of these latest incidents but if people can’t conduct themselves in a sensible and responsible manner, it makes you wonder why we bother.
“It’s a perennial problem but there’s no adequate remedy to recover the awful situation – unless you’ve got eyes there 24/7 to see who is doing it. If nobody sees who is doing it, there is nothing you can do.
“Last spring and summer, my life was a nightmare when the golf course became a BBQ location.
“I’ve seen the abuse the golfers get from dog walkers too who don’t appreciate that it’s fine to walk on a public footpath but if you walk across the green, it’s not the golfers’ fault.”
Some of the criminal damage last summer in Werneth Low Country Park
Frank said work is under way to prepare the Visitors Centre to reopen when coronavirus restrictions allow, but these incidents of vandalism don’t help matters.
He added: “We’re working now to try to get the Visitors Centre and its facilities ready to reopen when we get out of Covid.
“I don’t know when that will be and what terms will apply. Katie, the new Green Space Development Officer, and her team are doing the physical work on the land.
“Hyde War Memorial Trust are doing the administration and legal stuff, trying to get the centre up to the levels of compliance so that it ticks all the boxes.
“We’re working towards it being ready for the summer and keeping volunteers informed so we can ensure we have a sustainable way of operating again.
“But things like this [vandalism] are a distraction and they just don’t help at all.”
The Reporter has also contacted Greater Manchester Police for more information.
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