Stirchley Park received a donation of £50 from KNFM after repeatedly having plants stolen from the park

Kings Norton Farmer’s Market whipped up a donation of £50 after they heard that Stirchley Park had been robbed of its new plants but the replaced plants were trashed the very next day

Stirchley Park isn’t big and it isn’t easy to find but it’s well loved by residents who enjoy taking time out in its peaceful green seclusion

The park’s best known entrance is set back off the Pershore Road, accessed by a short path between Iceland and The Co-op store

Five Stirchley residents, ‘Friends of Stirchley Park’,  patrol the little park regularly. Dog walkers have been asked to use the park more to deter the heartless thieves who have been regularly heaving new greenery out by the roots, some say to sell on

‘Friends of Stirchley Park’ Chairman, Peter Evans, said: “We take great pride in taking care of the Park. We’re rolling out a whole host of improvements with cash we were gifted on the back of the Stirchley Baths renovation project, but the replacement of plants is fast eating away at our funds . This week’s repeated theft of plants leaves us totally frustrated. The Park is a beautiful place for the people of Stirchley to enjoy”

King Norton Farmer’s Market heard of the thefts via Twitter. Director, Elizabeth Charnley (@kingsnortonfarmkt), said: “When we read about the thefts, we decided right away to donate the cash so that the Friends could replace the plants. We heard the next day that replacement plants had been stolen. Why would anyone do this?”

Stirchley Park has suffered many plant thefts and vandalism over the years, as well as continuous ugly graffiti tagging along the Co-op wall

In 2012, sapling blossom trees were uprooted the day after planting and this week’s further overnight theft has left the Community aghast

Peter said: “I’m absolutely gobsmacked at the support we’ve had from Twitter. There have been more than 200 Tweets since last Saturday and residents who care about the park have even donated real plants. ‘Friends of Stirchley Park’ will not give in. For every plant that’s stolen, we’ll plant another. I’ve planted a sign in the flower bed, appealing for the thieves to stop, but only time will tell if it makes any difference.”

• What would you do? Should the park (@StirchleyPark) be monitored by CCTV or is that an intrusion? Should the friends stop planting? Should part of the funding be spent on night lights? What can the Police do?

Written for @mick@Stirchley.co.uk by @Stirchley_News