We here at The Merkinch News and Views have received a number of letters from the children of Merkinch Primary School, highlighting the problems that they face with vandalism in their play areas and neighbourhoods. A couple of things amazed us about the letters, firstly, the quality and maturity of the letters, secondly, it’s quite remarkable that these primary aged children have been so creative, industrious and hard working in making the place that they live and play in look better, and lastly these children are a determined lot, and although the mindless damage caused to some of the projects they have been working on no doubt hurts and angers them, they have no intention in allowing the sad brainless morons to win.

Here are a couple of the letters we received, unfortunately we did not have space to print them all.

Dear News and Views

At Benula Road Park in the Merkinch area there has been another act of vandalism. The culprits are usually in the 12 - 17 age group. It’s normally caused by youths drinking. Usually the vandalism is smashing bottles, breaking swings; making fires and wrecking the fences which have been put there in the first place to protect the area.

The people who live in the area think it’s about time to do something about it. And so do we. It’s preventing us from playing football in the park. It’s also unsafe for young toddlers. It’s so unfair that they have to play in an area so messy. It also gives the Merkinch a bad reputation.

The people who are doing this obviously don’t care about the area and the people’s safety. I think they do it to act hard and impress their friends, and make people unhappy. The police should have been involved from the start and if they catch the vandals or people are caught drinking they should be fined or have to clean up the mess they made.

Yours faithfully
Name supplied

Dear News and Views

There has been another act of vandalism at the Pumping Station. The mural painted by the children of Merkinch Primary School has been vandalised by gangs with graffiti. The Pumping Station is a tourist attraction. Many people passing the station in boats have commented how nice it looked. Now it’s a mess.

We feel something should be done. We believe it is very unfair and cruel. It makes us angry because the whole school put a lot of effort into it. We feel that it is not right. We think one or two people tried to join a gang and start showing off. Things like that. They are maybe jealous that we did good work. They might have been bored. We feel that there should be better security. For example, places could get security cameras or they could employ security guards. They could get the police to patrol the area more than they do. Better security probably prevents crime.

Yours faithfully
Ewan and Graham

Dear News and Views

Over the past few years there have been a number of acts of vandalism at the park in Thornbush Road. Fences have been ripped from the ground and the rubber safety surface has been pulled up. People have even written foul messages in black marker pen and charcoal on the wood. Angry parents blame teenagers who are jealous because they are too big to use the toys themselves.

Something must be done to stop these people from destroying the reputation of the Ferry area. It is a shame for the young people that live in the area around the park, who cannot play safely.

The vandals are thought to be 12 - 17 year olds, who are drunk, bored or jealous. They obviously do not care much for the youngsters in the Ferry who go to the park to play. I think it would be a good idea to inform the police or maybe employ a caretaker to keep the park in good condition.

Yours faithfully
Lesley S