Appeal following catalogue of vandalism at Alva Glen

The Wee County beauty spot has been targeted on several occasions in the past months, explained volunteers from Alva Glen Heritage Trust who have been working for years to enhance and improve the area.

In the latest of what has grown into a catalogue of incidents, a memorial bench appears to have been dismantled and thrown into the burn below.

Resident Donna Stewart, whose family placed the bench at the glen 15 years ago, told the Advertiser: “Whilst we always expected some damage to be done to it, we, as a family, never expected this.

“It was originally a memorial to my mum, put in place by my grandparents.

“A plaque was later added in memory of my grandad.

“After finding out that this had happened, via a phone call and then seeing the pictures on Facebook, we all felt extremely heartbroken that the bench had been destroyed in such a cruel way.

“Every time I look at the pictures of it lying smashed on the rocks, my heart breaks again.”

HEARTBREAK: The memorial bench was thrown into the burn below where it shattered into pieces on the rocks

Police in the Wee County are investigating the incident, which took place sometime between October 13 and 14, along with a separate instance of vandalism which saw a wooden bench set alight.

Chief Inspector Audrey Marsh, area commander for Clackmannanshire, said: “We received a report on Monday, September 19, 2022, of a wooden bench having been set alight in the Alva Glen area.

“A further report was also made regarding damage to a memorial bench in the same area, which occurred between Thursday, October 13, and Friday, October 14, 2022.

“Enquires are ongoing into both incidents and we have appealed to the public via social media for any information regarding the crimes.

“We continue to work with our local partners to tackle anti-social behaviour and officers are paying close attention to the Alva Glen area when out on patrol.

“Crimes of this nature can have a negative impact on community wellbeing and I would ask the public to report any incidents to police when the behaviour is ongoing, so we can act as soon as possible.”

The catalogue of incidents goes further, however, according to volunteers at Alva Glen Heritage Trust.

Several of the carvings created by artist Peter Bowsher, also known as Chainsaw Pete, which were unveiled for the Alva Glen Sculpture Trail just last year, have also been damaged.

It is understood the carving of northern brown argus butterflies on a rock rose, which was adopted by the Alva Academy ASD group where student Anna named it Shimmer Fly, has seen all of the butterflies removed.

Butterflies have been removed from the Shimmer Fly carving

These have not been located since going missing earlier in June.

Fires have also been set in the area during September, including extensive damage to a bug hotel.

The Gentle Glen bear carving, also by Chainsaw Pete and said to be weighing in at around half a tonne, was uprooted and toppled on or around October 13.

REPAIRED: A team was quick to repair the wooden bear carving after it was uprooted and toppled

Alva Glen Heritage Trust is now seeking permission to install cameras to deter vandalism.

It is also hoping to work with those responsible so they can channel their skills and energy into something positive instead.

“The destruction must stop,” said the trust's Claire Campbell

“Alva Glen Heritage Trust volunteers do great work all year round to maintain and enhance the Glen, which is hugely appreciated by the local community.

“We are all upset and disappointed when the glen is damaged and lovely things destroyed.

“Alva Glen Heritage Trust are working with the police and Clackmannanshire Council to address the increasingly frequent and destructive vandalism in Alva Glen.

“The trust are seeking permission to install cameras in the glen to deter vandalism, with the potential added benefit of capturing wildlife footage.

"The trust are keen to work in partnership to help the people responsible to channel their skills and energy positively."

The wooden bear carving, weighing in at around half a tonne, being repaired

Donna, whose family memorial bench was destroyed, explained the plaque in memory of her grandfather has thankfully been recovered.

Also recovered was a plaque reading “Doreen and Peter forever in Alva Glen”.

OWNERS SOUGHT: Donna hopes to return this plaque to the rightful family but appeals on social media have so far not identified whom it belongs to

The rightful owners are being sought so that the plaque can be returned to the family.