Volunteers at Westhoughton Central Park Bowling Club were left devastated on Wednesday morning after discovering widespread damage to flower beds and planters, along with signs of an attempted break-in at their club pavilion.
The incident, believed to have taken place overnight on Tuesday, saw flowers ripped out from the club’s carefully maintained planters and memorial garden. Several of the large, tiered tubs had their top sections emptied or overturned, while one young tree was completely uprooted from a bed near the entrance gate.
In addition to the garden vandalism, muddy footprints and scuff marks were found around the bottom of a pavilion door, suggesting an attempt had been made to force entry.
The flowers had been planted and maintained by club members, many of them pensioners, who volunteer their time to keep the club’s grounds looking vibrant for the community.
Club member Pat Wrigley took to Facebook to express her frustration, writing: “The little ‘Darlings’ have made another visit to Westhoughton Central Park Bowling Club and damaged all the flower beds… The pensioners at the bowling club have spent a lot of time planting these tubs for some idiots to come and vandalise them. We need a police presence in Westhoughton.”
The incident has sparked anger and concern among local residents, with calls for greater police patrols in the area, particularly during evenings.