South Yorkshire Times, February 9th, 1934
Murder !
Appeal to Wombwell Public
Watch Your Park
A tree in Wombwell Park. It has been maimed and murdered. A week or two ago it was showing all the vigour of youth; waxing in strength and beauty every day. A vandal has broken and killed it. The soul has departed and it is fit only for firewood. This is one of the damaged trees in the Welfare Park at Wombwell. For such an act there can be no possible justification.
At a recent meeting of the Wombwell Urban District Council, Mr. J. A. Hall (Chairman of the Parks Committee) issued a stern warning. “It must be understood by the public that persons caught doing damage in the park will have the most rigorous penalty that can be inflicted upon them. If this continues our park schemes are going to break down altogether.” Further damage has been done since. How long are the public of Wombwell going to stand for this sort of thing? Responsibility really rests with the public.
This photograph was taken from the side of the path leading from the village of Lundhill up to the housing scheme. Two rows of poplars have been planted a few feet from the edge of the pavement. The trees were becoming established when the depredations started, and now, out of 30, less than half a dozen remain undamaged. Most of them have been pulled down and snapped like this one.
The park-keeper, Mr. G. Dover, said it was the intention to continue the planting along the whole length of the path, but owing to the damage they have stopped the work for the time. If new trees are planted, they will be some time in growth behind the others, and the effect will be spoiled.
He said there could be no doubt whatever that the damage was malicious. Some people had suggested that the park staff should keep a constant watch, but in order to stop this damage it would be necessary to watch all night. He said he would like to appeal to the public to help stop the damage and make examples of the offenders. Only recently fifteen rose trees were pulled up and taken away in a singe night.