Newbury family left distraught after vandals target memorial tree in Northcroft Park

A family has been left distraught after a memorial tree was targeted by vandals.

Sara Brunow’s 19-year-old son Ben, died on May 19, 2007 after he was electrocuted while climbing a telegraph pole behind Northcroft Leisure Centre, in Newbury.

In December that year the family – including Mrs Brunow, Ben’s father Andre, brother Edward and sister Summa – planted an oak tree at the spot, where they also scattered Ben’s ashes.

But last Tuesday (June 6) the family, who live in Newbury, discovered someone had drilled around 30 small holes at the base of the trunk, which is known to be a way of trying to kill a tree.

A tree guard, memorial plaque and photograph of Ben – which had all been in place for nearly 16 years after permission for the tree was granted by West Berkshire Council – have also been taken.

“It’s just horrible,” Mrs Brunow said. “It’s the one place that I always go. It’s my only place because it’s his grave there.

“After he died I used to go there every night because I felt close to him there.

“The plaque and the photo had gone and someone has drilled right the way around it.

“There’s about 30 holes right the way around it, just like a pearl necklace.

“Somebody went over specifically with a drill to do that.

“It’s really sad that they haven’t got anything else to do.

“Everybody goes down there on Christmas Day and on his birthday; me, his family, his friends.

“It’s become quite a meeting place for people.”

She said the family had been asking all around but can’t find anyone who knows anything about it, although did speak to one canal boat owner who said he had heard something which he reported to police.

He told the family that officers said someone had been targeting memorial trees.

Mr Brunow’s dog, who died a couple of years ago, is also buried alongside him there, but sadly the collar – which was attached to the plaque – was also stolen some time ago.

“You shouldn’t have to, but you do expect a certain amount of this to happen,” Mrs Brunow added. “You don’t expect something like this though.”

She was however positive for the future of the tree.

“It’s looking good,” she said. “A tree surgeon has looked at it and we think it’s going to be okay.

“It just takes such a long time for these things [the damage] to have repercussions.

“But we have so many people who have been so kind.”

Somebody has already added a new wooden plaque to replace the stolen one, with family and friends determined that this one act won’t stop them remembering Ben.