Anger as vandals tip new plant pots off pub wall.

Byline: Brian Daniel Reporter [email protected]

VANDALS tipped plant pots off a wall at a Northumberland pub, leaving them smashed and the landlord hundreds of pounds out of pocket.

The pots at the Badger at Ponteland were only put in place early last week by a 71-year-old former paratrooper to improve the appearance of the pub.

They have now been smashed, leaving the landlord and local people angry - and costing the pub around PS400.

Summer plants were put along the wall of the hostelry at Street Houses on Monday and Tuesday of last week in an effort to make the pub look more attractive for drinkers and passers-by.

The work was the idea of Ken Witherall, the former paratrooper from Brunswick Green who has worked at the pub as a part time gardener for the last two to three years following his retirement as a way of "keeping out of mischief."

Sometime between closing time on Friday and Saturday morning, the pots were tipped off the wall, leaving them smashed.

CCTV cameras are trained on the pub car park.

Peter and Joanna Drummond, who have had the Badger the last 15 years, have reported the damage to Northumbria Police.

They say the vandalism will cost them around PS400, believing there is no point claiming on their insurance policy due to the excess they would have to pay.

The couple posted photographs of the damage on social media where a number of people have posted angry comments alongside offers of assistance.

Joanna, who like her husband is 45, said she hoped those responsible would contact police or themselves, or that anyone who knows anything about who was responsible will make contact.

She said: "We were all so upset about it.

"I hope it has just been stupid individuals who has probably had one too many."

The plants were being replaced on Sunday.

Peter said: "Unfortunately there are idiots out there who we deal with all the time.

"The biggest thing is the way the community has sort of rallied around.

"We posted the pictures on Twitter and Facebook, we had an incredible response with people offering support and help.

"People saying they were moving house and they had pots and plants.

"Regardless of the fact it has been done, we are going to get them redone. We will not be held to ransom by some stupid people."

Philosophical Ken said: "This is real life, you just pick up and start again.

"I am not getting angry, it does not achieve anything does it?" A police spokeswoman said: "At 8.20am on Saturday, April 25 police were informed plants and plant pots had been damaged outside the Badger pub in Street Houses in Ponteland.

"Officers are carrying out inquiries into the damage and asking witnesses to get in contact.

Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police on 101 ext 69191 quoting reference 356250415 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

CAPTION(S):

Ken Witherall clears up the damaged pots

The landlord of the Badger in Ponteland Peter Drummond Tim McGuinness