VANDALS have struck at a community garden, just days after it opened to the public.

The official ceremony to unveil the garden, which actually features in today’s Chronicle, was the culmination of weeks of hard work.

Volunteers at Auchinleck Community Development Initiative (ACDI) created the facility with financial support coming from various sources. But when staff arrived to work at the garden in Aird Avenue, just before 10.45am on Tuesday, August 8, a devastating sight met them.

A fire extinguisher had been let off and aimed randomly at plants, causing more than £200 worth of damage.

Several guests of honour had attended the opening ceremony including council officials and councillors, among them Neil McGhee, who is also ACDI chairman.

He told the Chronicle: “The people who did this have no respect for their own community.

“In fact they have destroyed part of it by carrying out this damage.

“We cannot afford this to happen.

“Around £500,000 has been spent on the project and it is most important that there is no more trouble.

“I would urge anyone with any information to contact the police.

CCTV cameras will be installed in the near future.”

Mr McGhee added, although he was relieved that the cost to the community could have been worse, he is still furious that the attack happened.

His thoughts were echoed by ACDI events and activities co-ordinator, Stuart Mitchell, who confirmed that plant stock was damaged when the vandals sprayed them with the fire extinguisher.

Mr Mitchell said: “The public are reminded that these facilities are for community benefit — any money made is re-invested in the local area via our social enterprise. The incident has been reported to the police, who are currently investigating the matter.

If anyone has any information, contact PC McDade at Cumnock Police office.”

Inspector Colin Shearer revealed that this is not the first time the garden has been targeted during the school holidays.

He added: “We received a report on Tuesday regarding a break-in at the facility, which appeared to have happened overnight.

“Those responsible gained entry by either climbing over, or under, a fence before causing the damage.

As a result, several plants need replaced, as does a fire extinguisher, at a total cost of £200.

“Anti-social behaviour such as this is unacceptable and anyone who can help our investigation should call 101.”

ACDI is a success story which has been achieved through hard work and much negotiating for funding.

Officially called the Auchinleck Community Growing Garden, their pride and joy was financed by the Scottish Government and the European Union — Ayrshire Leader Programme.

Among the many added benefits it has brought was the recruitment of two teenagers as part of the gardening and community action team. Both new employees, aged 18, were awarded six month contracts assisted by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.