ILMINSTER NEWS: Children tell yobs - stop vandalising our play area!

POSTERS drawn and designed by children urging yobs not to vandalise their play area have been placed on a wall of the arson-hit toilet block at the Ilminster Recreation Ground.

Dozens of the posters have been placed on the wall facing the play area with messages such as “It’s Time to Stop”, “Why Are You Doing This?” and “Stop Destroying Our Future.”

It was in the early hours of Sunday, July 10, 2016, when a stolen Honda motorcycle was set on fire by the toilet block.

The fire then went on to cause significant damage to the toilet block and adjoining tuck shop facilities.

“We’re appealing for anyone who knows anything about the stolen motorcycle, or anyone who saw it being pushed or ridden across the Recreation Ground, to come forward,” said a police spokesman.

Members of Ilminster Town Council will be meeting this evening (Tuesday, July 19, 2016) where it is expected that they will discuss the arson attack and what to do in the meantime with the play area and Recreation Ground set to be used more regularly as we enter the school summer holidays.

But the posters drawn by children which have been put on the fire-ravaged toilet block should – one would hope although highly unlikely – make those responsible feel utterly ashamed of themselves.

Mystery surrounds, however, as to who created the posters. The Ilminster Press asked Swanmead School and Greenfylde First School headteachers Mark Walker and Claire Oaten respectively about the artwork and both said it was nothing to do with their children.

It is believed that the idea may have come from a teacher who lives in Ilminster, but works at a school outside the town.

Whoever produced the posters should be applauded as they certainly put across the right message that Ilminster does not want vandalism and certainly not in areas which are well-used by local children.

Anyone with information about the arson attack at the toilet block can phone police on 111 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.

PHOTOS: Taken at the toilet block at the Ilminster Recreation Ground which was badly damaged by fire in the early hours of Sunday, July 10, 2016.

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