Anger at Gorleston vandalism

FRUSTRATION is mounting over the constant wave of vandalism that is spoiling an historic Gorleston garden.

The latest attack on Williamson’s Lookout, in High Road, is adding to local disenchantment over the recently revamped area bequeathed to the borough as “a garden for all time.”

This week Simon Mutten, borough head of environmental services, appealed for information about the vandalism and said the council was willing to take tough court action.

Police spokesman Laura Bagshaw said officers were called to Riverside Road shortly before 11pm on Saturday, following reports of a group of young people causing damage.

Police arrived on scene to discover that iron railings had been ripped up from the gardens and dumped in the road. Trees had also been up-rooted.

The violence follows an earlier incident when low level lights were kicked out and some decorative copper inlay stolen.

Mr Mutten said the council was in the process of installing different lights and also replacing the inlay.

“It is one of those things that causes so much frustration,” he said. “It is a nice area that provides a nice view and the residents around there value it. We are spending money, which is in short supply, that could be better spent elsewhere rather than repairing this mindless vandalism.”

The sloping patch of land offers uninterrupted views of the river and Nelson’s Monument.

The revamp three years ago involved creating a larger viewing platform, replanting, new fencing and railings and interpretation boards focusing on the monument, the riverside and the history of the garden which once belonged to Koolunga House opposite. The garden was left to the town by Addison Williamson in memory of her husband in 1937. It overlooks Darby’s Hard, where naval hero Lord Nelson is said to have landed after the Battle of the Nile.

Officers would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information concerning it. Contact PC Jamie Amis at Gorleston Police Station on 0845 456 4567.