Yahoo News Grandson's anger after memorial tree for late grandmother vandalised twice
A grandson has been left heartbroken after his grandmother's memorial tree in Appledore, Devon was 'targeted' and vandalised not once, but twice. Daniel Snow, 33, had planted a magnolia kobus tree to commemorate his late grandmother, Jean Williams, who passed away from cancer at the age of 78 in February 2020.
The family chose to plant the tree on the third anniversary of her passing, but within just two days, the tribute was desecrated by an unknown assailant who poured bleach around its base and damaged its trunk and branches. In a determined effort to preserve his grandmother's memory, Daniel arranged for another tree to be planted this March, only for it to suffer a similar fate within five days, with someone stripping the bark around its base, critically impairing its ability to absorb nutrients.
Living in north London as a chartered surveyor, Daniel expressed his dismay: "Attacking a tree is strange in itself, but to do so when there is a plaque there that clearly states it is a memorial, it's just even more disturbed."
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He continued, sharing the emotional impact on his family: "My whole family is of course very upset and angry, as we were the first time. But as this is the second time, we also feel very disappointed."
He highlighted the community's awareness of the incident, saying, "Because the community in Appledore knew how much it had affected us."
Daniel and his family selected Appledore for Jean's tree, having shared many joyful festive seasons there over the past 25 years. News of the vandalism spread quickly through the village, prompting an appeal for information from Devon and Cornwall Police.
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While no arrests have been made, Daniel believes the second attack was deliberate. "It seems to be a calculated attack because of the way they harmed the tree this time - by stopping it from getting nutrients," he explained. "You have to have some horticultural knowledge for that."
The tree was requested through Torridge District Council, who approved the application and designated a planting location - a grassy verge with sea views. Following the first act of vandalism, Daniel opted for a hawthorn tree, hoping to appease the community. Hawthorn trees are prevalent throughout Appledore.
"We thought maybe people living near were upset about the look and would prefer it if it fit in more, but this still happened," he said. "It's just weird that someone's taken issue because it's a tree not a big, ugly building in their eyesight. It's also next to a row of trees which are now of the same type and it's a council-owned park, so it's a council decision."
Daniel hopes that speaking out will help apprehend the culprit and prevent similar incidents elsewhere. The family, uncertain about replacing a vandalised memorial tree, expressed their distress and determination.
"We want to put another tree there as I don't think the person should just get what they want," the grandson said. "But it has ruined the memorial side of it. You're on edge when you go there. It's tarnished."
He also acknowledged the community's support: "It's a shame because the wider community in Appledore has been so supportive of us. When we were last there, people were telling us how appalled they were by what happened."
The hope is that publicity will either lead to the culprit or prevent further incidents. Daniel added: "Hopefully this story being out there will help catch the person or stop them doing it again."
Torridge District Council expressed its dismay at the repeated damage to the tree. Sean Kearney, head of communities and place, stated, "It is unbelievably disappointing to think that, for the second time, the memorial tree in Irsha Street could have been deliberately damaged in this way."
He noted that the incident had been reported to the police and it would be inappropriate to comment further during investigations. Devon and Cornwall Police are treating the incident as a serious matter. A spokesperson said, "We have been made aware of an act of vandalism at a memorial tree, believed to have happened between Thursday 18 April and Friday 19 April in Appledore."
They urged anyone with information to contact them and provided the reference number: "We take reports of this kind extremely seriously and ask anybody with information to call 101 or visit our website quoting 50240092954."
