Offers of help pour in after Exmoor forest school site is targeted by vandals

POLICE are investigating after vandals 'absolutely trashed' an isolated forest school on Exmoor used by everybody from nursery children to Ukraine refugees.

Wild Wellies (Tales and Treasures!) forest school is run from a site between Timberscombe and Wheddon Cross by Ema Lou Rowe.

The Wild Wellies Wood facility was damaged over the Bank Holiday weekend at about the same time as a number of sheds were broken into on allotments in Porlock.

Police asked for any suspicious activity to be reported by calling 101 and advised Porlock allotment holders to check their sheds and to be vigilant and keep items secure.

Ms Rowe said nothing of particular value was kept on her forest school site, where youngsters learned through ‘exploration and adventure’.

She said: “In the past I have had rubbish being dumped and the wood has been a human toilet, but it has never been misused this badly before.”

However, a few items had been taken, including some children’s gardening tools and a popcorn maker, while there was extensive damage across the site.

Ms Rowe said: “The main upset was the vandalising of my equipment, which has taken a few years to build up.

“For example my signs that I use when I take forest school activities to local events and festivals, and slates which I use for educational and creative purposes.

“I also have a shed on site to keep things dry and although it was unlocked, it had been sliced through on most sides, with the roof cover taken off.

“Everything had been pulled out and thrown around from every box, including the toileting area.”

Ms Rowe said she had been ‘overwhelmed’ by the offers of help which had poured in as news of the vandalism became known in communities around Exmoor.

She said: “They have offered time, replacement equipment, and even money.

“I have had so many calls and messages offering help that I have not got the words to say how grateful I am.

“I am just going to have a think about what I do about it.

“I will need a replacement shed. It does not have to be a huge one, so if anybody knows of anybody who is selling one, that would be brilliant, and remake my popcorn maker, and get a few other things replaced, and then I will be back on track.

“So, the tears of devastation turned into tears of just gratefulness.

“This goodwill outweighs the minority who are so thoughtless.”

Ms Rowe said the forest school sessions she ran from the woods were intended to be as inclusive as possible.

She said: “Everybody from a fantastic Minehead nursery, local families, home educating families, Ukrainian families, local pre-schools and first schools, to my holiday family forest school and 'All Fired Up' teen and tween sessions.

“And that is what upset me the most. I do not know who had been at the Wild Wellies Wood, but I know that whatever age they are, I would have been able to welcome them.”

Singer/songwriters Martin Dearmun and Celia Sainsbury told Ms Rowe via social media: “So sad to see this has happened.

“We would like to contribute something towards the new shed or whatever you need to get back on track.

“Something like this really makes us realise the incredible value of what you do and the importance for children to experience the beauty and importance of nature.”

Laura Emily Trapnell said the vandalism was ‘utterly disgusting’.

She said: “What you provide for our children is priceless and I think I speak for my whole family when I say we will help contribute time or money to help rectify what these vandals have done.

“It does not make it any easier but you have a big community that will support Wild Wellies replace anything broken.”

Lucy Ann Edwards said: “Heartbreaking, what a joke. Please, please, put up a list of anything that needs replacing or anything you need, because I am sure with a rally around we can all help you put it back together again.

“I am so sorry this happened to you, after everything you do for our little ones, I hope you know how much you are appreciated.

“Let us help you where we can.”