There was outrage and revulsion in Kirriemuir after vandals trashed a Peter Pan mosaic at the entrance to a new play area to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of the town’s famous son.
Kirriemuir councillor Ian Mackintosh said the attack was “appalling” while local police officer Pam Colvin described it as “the worst form of vandalism.”
The vandalism has generated widespread anger in the community and the children involved in its making.
The Peter Pan mosaic was unveiled in November at the entrance to the play area on Kirrie Hill as part of a £350,000 upgrade programme.
Improvement work began in the summer and the Peter Pan theme was chosen to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Sir J. M. Barrie.
The mosaic centred on the classic tale and was designed by artist and teacher Maureen Crosbie with the help of local children. Vandals have used force to crack the mosaic and break off pieces of the design.
“I feel as though it’s the worst form of vandalism because it’s against the community,” PC Colvin said. “I took part in putting the whole thing together and helping the kids as well.
“I was there every week they were doing it and I saw the commitment and the enthusiasm of adults and young people.
“One in particular was the Tinkerbell which everyone thought was absolutely amazing and it’s been the Tinkerbell that’s got most of the damage.
“I can’t believe that we’ve got someone in the Kirriemuir community that thinks it’s okay to cause so much damage to something the community took a lot of pride in. I am really angry that something like this can happen because I really did think that this would be left alone.
“I’m going to be going into the schools and speaking to the pupils because someone must know who was responsible. I would urge anyone with information to get in touch with the police.”
The £350,000 project, led by Angus Council with funding assistance from other bodies, includes a new Neverland play area, a heritage and nature trail, new picnic tables and improvements to the access road.
The park is a long-term legacy of the 150th anniversary of J. M. Barrie, who spent his early youth in Kirriemuir and whose writing has brought enjoyment to millions of people.
Councillor Mackintosh said he couldn’t understand the mindset of people who could do this.’Don’t keep quiet'”This mosaic was created by children and everybody thought it was such a wonderful thing when it was erected,” he said. “I just don’t understand why people seem to get a bit of pleasure from vandalism but somebody will know who has done this.
“I think it’s important that they don’t keep quiet and they do let the police know.
“All they are doing is spoiling it for everyone else. There has been vandalism but I think this is the first time it has actually happened on the mosaic.
“The purpose of the mosaic was actually to make a feature for the entrance.
“What can you say though? It sickens you when something like this happens and there needs to be some sort of retribution. When they take great pleasure in disfiguring something like that, they should be made to clean it up.”
He urged anyone with information to contact the police.
The councillor added, “There’s a lot of people who have put a lot of work into this to give a lot of pleasure and for mindless vandals to have done something like that… well, it’s just appalling really.”
In 1930, J. M. Barrie was given the freedom of Kirriemuir. He subsequently presented the town with the cricket pavilion on Kirrie Hill and the camera obscura in it.
Anyone with information on the vandalism is asked to contact Tayside Police on 0300 111 2222.
Photo used courtesy of photosonlocation.