New trees planted in Rhiwbina's Parc y Pentre

A special tree planting ceremony took place in a Cardiff suburb yesterday.

Five Mountain Ash trees were planted in Parc y Pentre, Rhiwbina, to replace those which were destroyed by vandals in October last year.

A further two were also planted to replace those which were badly damaged or had simply died.

Cardiff Council Parks department planted the trees that had been funded by Rhiwbina residents.

Residents raised the money after the Council said they could not afford to replace them.

Vandals cut the tops off five trees that form the avenue in Parc y Pentre and left them strewn across the park.

Mary Clarke of Pen y Dre, and the chairwoman of Rhiwbina Garden Village Residents’ Association, was the driving force behind raising the money needed to replace the vandalised trees.

Members of the association raised more than £600 by putting on a bring-and buy-sale selling items such as plants and cakes. Local councillors also held a coffee morning to help raise funds.

Donations from local shopkeepers and tree-lovers also helped bring the figure to the required amount.

In a statement from the Council, Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Councillor Nigel Howells said: “This tree planting event is the result of the efforts from true community spirit.”

“The vandalism of beautiful trees is a senseless crime and one that Cardiff Council takes very seriously. I am glad that the park is back to how it should be so that it can be enjoyed by everyone,” he added.

Speaking at the tree planting ceremony, Rhiwbina Councillor Jayne Cowan said: “It was nice to see a good turnout despite the bad weather.

“Residents will now be keeping a close eye on the park to ensure vandalism does not occur again.”

Mrs Clarke said: “It was an act of wanton destruction, but it was nice to see everyone rally round. This park means a lot to the people of Rhiwbina and we are very pleased to be restoring it to its rightful state.”

The event took place at 10.45am yesterday and was attended by the three independent Rhiwbina Councillors as well as Rhiwbina residents and workers from the Council’s Parks department.