Locals rally after wooden railway sleepers stolen from Greening Ringwood community garden

A COMMUNITY has rallied for its local garden after railway sleepers were stolen from flowerbeds outside a town library.

The four wooden sleepers, worth around £100, were taken from the community garden in Christchurch Road, Ringwood, which aims to help locals learn about and grow their own vegetables.

Lindsay Andrews of Greening Ringwood, which runs the project, told the A&T she had been saddened by the theft, but has since been impressed by the “kindness, sympathy and warmth from the amazing Ringwood community”.

Greening Ringwood was set up by Ringwood Town Council to encourage and support locals and businesses to take easy and straightforward steps to reduce energy consumption and waste. The planters, installed around two years ago, were built by members of the local Men’s Shed.

Lindsay explained the theft had been discovered last Thursday by the manager of the library. After sharing the news on social media she was “overwhelmed” with offers to replace the sleepers, including from Ringwood School and a resident with some to spare from his own garden.

Another had also offered to buy new sleepers and install them with tamper-proof bolts, she said: “The outpouring from the community has just been phenomenal.”

It is thought at least two people would have been needed to take away the sleepers, along with a large vehicle. The theft has been reported to police. Those with information should contact 101.