Vandals have struck at a nature reserve, cutting fences and costing hundreds of pounds in repairs.
The criminal damage was discovered at Hayle Park Nature Reserve in Tovil near Maidstone on Monday morning.
The reserve is a charity run by a board of volunteer trustees.
Chairman Paul Wilby said: “The fence was cut in several places, clearly so that somebody could gain access to our fields. We suspect the offender was a disgruntled dog walker.”
“The result is that four volunteers had to give up four hours of their time on Bank Holiday Monday to repair the damage.
“Fortunately, we were able to effect a repair that same day, but it probably cost the trust £300 in materials.”
The 20-acre nature reserve is a popular area for dog walkers and ramblers, who are always able to walk a circular path around the perimeter of the 29-acre reserve.
However, from time to time, the trust closes off two fields in the centre. One is used for sheep grazing; the other for hay-making – both valuable sources of income for the charity, which receives no funding from the government or from Maidstone council.
However, whenever the fields are closed, the trustees receive complaints from some dog-walkers.
Mr Wilby said: “This is not the first time this has happened. It’s probably occurred five times over the past 10 years. However, it is the first time now for several years.”
“On one occasion, the fence was cut by motorbikers, who wanted to tear around the fields.
“But this time there were no tyre tracks, and the gaps made were smaller, suggesting a dog walker.
Mr Wilby, who exercises his own dog on the reserve, said: “It’s very upsetting for the volunteers who maintain the land, to see their hard work undone.
“It’s just one or two selfish individuals who want to spoil it for everyone.
“No doubt we will now have to consider putting up CCTV, which will be yet more expense.”
Ironically, the field, which was only harvested of hay on Saturday, was due to be reopened to the public today.
Dennis Usmar is the leader of the volunteer work party that maintains the reserve every Friday. He said: “When you consider all the effort that the volunteers put into this for the benefit of the general public, it is very disappointing.”
Hayle Park Nature Reserve was created in 2013, using section 106 money obtained from the developers of the adjacent Hayle Park housing estate.
It is established on parkland that once belonged to the Georgian-listed Hayle Park Manor House.
Hayle Park is holding a free, family open day on Sunday, September 7, from noon to 3pm.
For details, visit the reserve’s Facebook page.
The attractions include a puppet show, horse and trailer ride, barbecue, River’s rodents, coconut shy, splat the rat, and bird-box making. There will be free car parking available to those using the entrance from Fieldfare Drive (ME15 6XL).
