Devastated residents in a Moray village are heartbroken after their touching tribute to cancer victims has been repeatedly churned up by “joy riders”.
Deep trenches have been gouged out of the “field of hope” in Tomintoul by motorists driving across the plot leaving bulbs strewn across the grass and nearby road.
The floral memorial was planted as a place for residents to remember loved-ones.
Now locals are demanding more respect for the remembrance garden as they face an anxious wait until the spring to see how many of the 8,000 bulbs have survived.
Tomintoul couple Mike and Des Budd both lost parents to the disease and rallied a dozen volunteers and the village school’s 40 pupils to plant the display.
And after seeing tyre tracks appear across the field four times in the last month Mr Budd is convinced it cannot be just accidental damage.
He said: “It has to be deliberate. You can see tracks coming down the path off the road, across the grass and onto the field and away up the Lecht road.
“I’ve been told that one time the driver had to be towed out because he managed to get stuck in it.
“Accidental damage happens, I can accept that – but this is people going for a joy ride all round the path.
“There was so much time and effort put in by all the helpers it’s just so upsetting to see it disrespected in this way.”
After repairing the damage caused on Boxing Day, 72-year-old Mr Budd was frustrated when new tyre tracks more than a foot deep appeared the next day.
The retired civil servant almost gave up on the floral tribute before being persuaded to continue by his wife.
Yesterday, the couple continued replanted the bulbs in the hope the display will not be blighted by gaps caused by the vandals.
Mrs Budd said: “People got involved with this because of the way cancer has affected them. There’s probably not a person in the village that hasn’t been touched by it in some way.
“It’s more than just a few flowers. It’s something for people to look at while they sit with their thoughts about family and friends they have lost.”
Volunteers are now setting up stone markers around the daffodil field to make it more visible with signs also due to be put up before the flowers bloom.
The aim of the roadside patch next to the B9008 approach to the village is to create an eye-catching golden landmark to raise awareness of Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Yesterday an emotional Mr Lochhead, whose wife is battling the disease, called on motorists to show more respect for the touching memorial garden.
He said: “It’s a very special place and that’s why it’s a real shame individuals have shown disrespect by driving over the plot – there should be more respect for it.”
