Beaumont Primary School community sad after vandalism

Vandals struck in the beautifully created Friendship Garden at Beaumont Primary School, where trees had only recently been planted in memory of Sabiha Makkan, who was the previous chair of governors at the school.

The cherry blossom trees had been snapped with the damage being noticed on Monday as the school opened for the week.

The garden was created to symbolise the school's commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment.

Headteacher Stacey Postle has described the act as “mindless”.

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She also called for the vandals to apologise and “do the right thing” and replace what they have damaged.

Mrs Postle told The Bolton News said: “On Monday, we noticed our newly planted trees in the Friendship Garden were vandalised.

“The garden is a special place to make friends and remember our wonderful Chair of Governors Mrs Makkan who passed away.

“The two cherry blossom trees had been mindlessly snapped in half for no reason.

“I hope whoever has done this can do the right thing and replace the damage and say sorry to everyone in the Beaumont family.”

Tress that were not damaged (Image: Public)

A pupil at the school Zakariyya Patel, aged 8, says that they were “shocked and a bit angry” when they found out what had happened.

Zakariyya also says that they will raise some money to plant more trees in the hope that they will not again be destroyed.

He said: “When I heard the sad news, I was shocked and a bit angry.

“Everyone loves the garden and it's such a special place to be.

“We will raise some money and replant these important trees and hope nobody else ruins them.”

Police Community Support Officers also visited the school following the incident, and officers say they a currently looking at CCTV footage to identify those involved.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Bolton West neighbourhood team said: “On Wednesday May 17 PCSO Thornley visited Beaumont Primary School.

“Some of the children from Beaumont Primary School looking gloomy faced due to some unknown persons causing damage to the school’s friendship garden.

“The garden was in memory of a school Governor who passed away.

“We are viewing CCTV in order to gain IDs of the unknown persons.”

The school recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, after first opening its doors on May 3, 1973, during a weeklong celebration.

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