13th July 2012

PORTLAND: Club dismayed by graffiti after plants are sprayed

Committee members at Portland Amateur Boxing Club have been stunned by what they term an “act of mindless vandalism”.

Secretary Vince Ealson said he was saddened to discover that grafitti reading: “The poppy represents the fallen soldier. Poisoning is wrong,” had been spray painted onto part of the club’s new extension.

Mr Ealson said: "It is sad that this has happened. The club is in a no win situation as a condition of our lease is to upkeep the grounds.

“The ground which had poppies on was being maintained by a local business woman who had planted some nice flowers.

“Unfortunately the weeds had taken over and from the appearance of the area it looked like she hadn’t been there for a while. Some of the weeds on the patch of ground were over a metre high and made it difficult to see if there were any plants there. Therefore the whole area was sprayed with weedkiller to combat the problem.

“The club has only just finished the extension and now cannot afford the money to have the graffiti painted over.”

Mr Ealson also said that the club had only just recently had flower boxes from the Revive Portland installed outside the club.

“It is a shame because if the person/people responsible for this act knew anything about the club they would realise that several members of the committee are ex forces including myself who served with the Royal Tank Regiment.

“Also several of our boxers are now serving members of the armed forces. We at the club do understand what the poppy means, knowing close friends who have died in combat.

“Unfortunately due to either work commitments or financial constraints the club hasn’t the ability to upkeep the wasteland as manicured gardens at this present time.

“The club was in the process of applying for funds to turn the area into something better. But this matter has put a dampener on the plans.

“The club runs on limited funds and can only do one bit at a time, and unfortunately fixing the leaking roof at the moment is more important. It’s just a shame they didn’t come and talk to the club first.”

If anyone has any information about who was responsible for the grafitti please contact Mr Ealson on 07732220362.

PICTURE: The grafitti sprayed on the new wall at the Portland Amateur Boxing Club