A FRIENDS group of a popular Ashton-under-Lyne park has expressed its dismay after youths allegedly caused damage by setting a bin on a fire.
The incident happened on Saturday evening (April 19) at around 8pm, at the King George the Fifth Playing Fields.
The group told the Correspondent that five young boys, all dressed in black, and a young girl, dressed in grey leggings and a navy blue hoodie, had set a blue bin on fire.
They were collecting logs and branches to make a bonfire, lighting the paper in the bin, before a woman disturbed them with her stepson.
It’s left the Friends of King George the Fifth Playing Fields – established in 2012 with the aim of making the park a better place for local residents – baffled and disappointed.
“I don’t know why the gang would kidnap a poor defenceless blue bin and cause this damage in the park,” said the group’s Chair, Alan Fish.
“Our volunteers spend a lot of time in the park to make it a better place for everyone, picking litter, planting, looking after the bees and orchard.
“We also run the Georgie Porgies cafe in the park, which normally opens 1pm to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays if the weather is not pouring down.”
The incident has been reported to the police and anyone with information is asked to contact GMP on 101, or via the website www.gmp.police.uk
Anyone interested in volunteering in King George the Fifth Playing Fields in any role can get in touch with Alan by emailing chairman@fokgvpf.co.uk or call 07931 765 120.