A VOLUNTARY group aiming to breathe new life into a Huddersfield park has been dealt a devastating blow after vandals set fire to toilets hired for a gala.

The Friends of Beaumont Park made £500 from the recent gala - but have been hit by a £1,700 bill to replace the toilets.

Chairman John Ross said he had no idea how the group was going to pay the money.

The two portable toilets were due to be taken away by the hire company the day after the gala.

But vandals got there first and set them alight.

Mr Ross said: "This is a real sickener; £1,700 is a great deal of money."

He added: "It's like everything else. You put in a lot of hard work and it gets ruined by the mindless individuals who will probably get away scot-free."

The Friends do not have insurance to cover the bill and the hire firm refuses to claim on its insurance.

Mr Ross added: "We have not got the money to cover it. I do not know what will happen."

The Friends are seeking to restore the park to its former glory and have established a temporary visitors' centre.

They are now arranging for social groups to operate from the park.

A natural history group and a photographic club have been set up and work to clear vegetation by the park cliffs is scheduled to take place with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

Volunteers are wanted for the work on Sunday, October 26. They should meet at the park lodge at 10am.

The natural history club will be launched at the visitor centre on Thursday, October 30, at 7.30pm in the visitors' centre. It will meet on the last Thursday of each month.

A photographic workshop for beginners and improvers will be held in the visitors' centre on Saturday October 11, price £15. Phone Ken Kaye on 01484 664354.

To contact the Friends, write to Mr John Ross, chairman of The Friends of Beaumont Park, c/o The Lodge, Beaumont Park, Beaumont Park Road, Huddersfield HD4 JAY.

Related stories