Security measures are to be stepped up at a retirement housing scheme in Penrith after thieves again ransacked its communal garden area.
Merlin Court resident George Haldane, aged 88, who has invested his own money and spent hours upon hours tending to the building’s two garden areas, said: “These decorations weren’t broken, they weren’t chucked aside — they were taken away.”
Items stolen included ornamental butterflies, windmills, all different kinds of lights, about 10 bunches of artificial flowers and all the wooden edging which had been installed to project the garden’s borders from the car park.
Mr Haldane said when he moved into Merlin Court he was down in the dumps because of his wife’s illness and his own issues, so he spent his time in the garden.
And after his wife, Janet, died, the garden became the one place where he could go and find some peace.
“When I was doing the garden, I wasn’t thinking about my wife.
“That is why I did the garden — it was for everybody, not just myself.
“All my time was spent in the garden, money does not come into it,” said Mr Haldane.
He added that he built the garden up for the benefit of residents and staff at Merlin Court so they could have somewhere nice to sit out, relax and have a place to chat.
Ivy Reading, aged 90, who is also a resident of Merlin Court, said Mr Haldane must have spent hundreds of pounds on buying items for the two garden areas and had got them looking really nice (pictured, right).
After thieves struck again last week, she said she was really upset and couldn’t stop thinking about it.
“I would just like the culprit to know they have broken an elderly man’s heart,” she added.
A vote has now been taken by residents for extra security arrangements to be put in place at the front and back of Merlin Court to try and deter further crime.
A police spokesman said they had received a report of theft of garden furniture at Merlin Court, occurring on 10th January and 23rd April.
The spokesman said the theft took place in a communal garden area and included ornaments and garden furniture.
“Cumbria Police ask that anyone with information which may assist gets in touch.
“You can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit quoting the incident number, log 72 of 28th April. You can also phone on 101.
“Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111,” the spokesman added.
