Community garden takes shape despite theft of contractor's machines
A community garden being constructed on an important historical plot of land in a Shropshire market town is taking shape, despite the theft of a number of machines from the site.
The former home of the Hazeldine Foundry in Bridgnorth is currently being turned into a community garden in a project funded by local manufacturer Bridgnorth Aluminium.
The Bandon Road site is where 18th century engineer Richard Trevithick built his first-fee paying steam locomotive, Catch Me Who Can, and currently belongs to Bridgnorth Town Council.
Bridgnorth Aluminium, which employs around 450 people in the town, decided to pay for the "beautiful and tranquil" garden to remember the Duke of Edinburgh by the owners of its group, who have a long-standing connection with the Greek royal family.
The garden is also being built in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
In an update, contractors Arcox Landscaping, which are creating the community garden along with Mike Russell Designs in co-operation with The Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Bridgnorth Town Council, said progress was being made on the garden in Low Town.
In a post on Facebook, the Telford based company said: “The tarmacking is now complete, and it looks great and really tidies up the approach to the Rugby Club and the river.
“The second train statue is now in place and the team have been hard at work installing the raised beds, including a wonderful curve on the corner.
“We are so looking forward to seeing the finished project."
The statement added that they hope to complete the site in the next fortnight, despite the contractors being targeted by thieves earlier this week.
Arcox said on Monday that they had their digger and wacker plate stolen on the Bridgnorth site.
The Doosan excavator and large wacker plate stolen were at around 1.50am, and a tracking device on the machinery was later recovered in Kingswinford.
Arcox said: “Unfortunately we did find the tracker 35mins from where the machine was stolen, but sadly no machine. It is in the hands of the police and insurers now.”
They added: “Despite us having our digger and wacker plate stolen on the Bridgnorth job, we are still pushing on to complete in two weeks time.”
Anybody with information on the stolen plant is urged to contact West Mercia Police.