Astley Bridge: Artwork made by children vandalised is now restored

The vandals took the time and effort to cut down and discard the pieces by youngsters in the Astley Bridge area, leaving residents in disbelief.

The artwork, which was recently installed on the railings at Astley Bridge Park, was thrown onto the bowling green. 

Created by young people from schools and community groups local to the park, the works were poster to mark the Christmas period. 

Cllr John Walsh (Image: Public)

Ward councillor John Walsh retrieved the artworks to put them back on display.

He said: "It is disappointing that vandals think it is fun to tear down children's efforts. At Christmas, a time of peace and joy, they think it is fun to vandalise in this way. 

"When I take them down, it takes a strong craft knife to take them down, it is not like they just slip them off. 

"The ones that were taken down, their corners are damaged - if a piece of plywood is thrown around and lands on the corner, it will damage it, but I don't think the artwork is very badly damaged. 

Some of the painting boards (Image: Public)

"I managed to retrieve the two with a walking stick, but I will need to take a hooked pole to get the other one. Hopefully by tonight they will all be restored and back up." 

Fellow councillor Hilary Fairclough said: "This time we have found two so far, the ties were cut and the pictures lobbed over the railings. 

"Cllr Walsh and Toby Hewitt  dropped everything to go and retrieve them, we have to get a key holder for the bowling green to be able to go and get them back. 

"It is very sad really, the children put their heart and soul into doing the pictures, and everybody loves them. 

Boards (Image: Public)

"It seems, for some reason, that it isn't the season of good will after all. I just think the people who do this are really more to be pitied that this is the only thing that makes them happy, such a shame." 

This comes after Remembrance Day artwork was stolen from the same location recently. 

The paintings were made to mark the remembrance period. 

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at zach.harrison@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter/X @zachhjourno.