A LIVING sculpture created by Redditch people which was used as a memorial to lost loved ones has been vandalised.
The sculpture in Matchborough, consisted of a living Willow dome which has been designed, woven, planted and adorned by people in the town.
The project aimed at uniting the Matchborough community through creativity and reflection on the themes of young loss and grief.
Reimagine Redditch and Bound Together community interest company (CIC) commissioned multidisciplinary artist Ildiko Nagy led the project, working closely with residents in Matchborough and across the borough.
Councillor for Matchborough and Woodrow, Coun Jane Spilsbury, put a video on Facebook about the damage and has called for anyone with any information to come forward.
She told the Standard: “Bound Together supports bereaved families, and the Willow structure was a living memorial to lost loved ones, many who were children, taken too soon.
“So, imagine the shock, dismay and disappointment of those families when they discovered that, over the weekend, the carefully tended Willow structure had been ruthlessly vandalised.
“We will not allow our hard-fought community spirit to be crushed by the actions of a tiny minority of individuals who show no respect, no humanity and no compassion for their fellow citizens.
“The willow structure will be rebuilt in honour of our lost loved ones.
“We will always stand against hate, and are determined to show that love and compassion will always overcome division.”
Coun Spilsbury said the council was determined the structure would be rebuilt.
She added: “Redditch is a safe place to live and these young people need to understand that this destructive and disrespectful behaviour will not be tolerated.”
Alison Osborne from Bound Together CIC said she was appalled to see the damage.
“The willow has done something I haven’t seen anything else do in our community.
“It unites all generations in the understanding of loss and grief.
“As a community we must do our bit to stop this behaviour.”
Coun Juliet Barker-Smith added: “The community have worked so hard to create this living structure.
“We hope that relatives of the perpetrators will educate their youngsters about respect and pride in their community.”
West Merica Police have confirmed they are investigating criminal damage to a willow memorial sculpture at Matchborough Pond.
It is believed the sculpture was damaged on Wednesday evening (August 27) between 7pm and 9pm.
Anyone with information is urged to contact PC Jolie Lisle on 01905 973361
