Storage garage, used to keep tools and equipment for the Gisborough Priory Project was set alight - destroying all its contents
Volunteers Carole Robinson and Jenny Thomas outside the burnt-out container which was used to store tools and equipment that helpers used to maintain and restore the priory gardens
Volunteers who have worked for more than seven years to restore historic gardens in Guisborough have been left devastated after an arson attack in the grounds.
The Gisborough Priory Project was set up seven years ago to restore and improve the gardens surrounding Guisborough’s ancient priory.
However they have now suffered a massive blow after a storage garage, used to keep tools and equipment was set alight - destroying all its contents.
Cleveland Police has confirmed they are treating the fire as arson.
The floor of the container was destroyed as well as all the contents, leaving just pieces of twisted charred metal.
Judith Arber, treasurer of the project, said: “We have been doing work at the gardens for some time now and this is a huge setback for us.
“It was a couple of volunteers who found the container completely destroyed - we were devastated.
“We have collected a lot of tools and equipment over the years so this is just so upsetting.
“At the moment we are begging and pleading for other tools and members are having to use their own from home which isn’t ideal.
“Fortunately it didn’t spread to the gardens, so the work we have done has not been destroyed.”
The fire happened sometime between Monday, February 10, and Thursday, February 13.
The Gisborough Priory Project, which is a registered charity, is still planning to hold its annual open day on Sunday when the Snowdrop Walk takes place between 1pm and 3pm at the gardens.
Cleveland Police confirmed that they are treating the attack as arson.
Witnesses or anybody with information should contact PC Carl Drinkel by calling the non-emergency 101 number or Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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