I am writing out of a concern for the welfare of our precious Sele, which, over the last year, has suffered from acts of purposeful damage to stonework, benches and, from my perspective, as importantly, trees and bushes.

The most worrying aspect is damage to trees where the bark is being systematically and regularly removed using sharp instruments, which cut into vital nutrient carrying tissue.

I am advised such damage could lead to the trees dying.

During these demanding times, many of us have grown to appreciate even more our open spaces.

Conversations with park staff suggest they are aware of the damage but, because of the number of people involved, feel intimidated or unable to bring their authority to bear to prevent such occurrences.

This situation raises the critical question of ‘whose responsibility is it to act?’

Without doubt, I call upon the community police, the neighbourhood services team at County Hall and the town council to bring their collective influence to bear on this issue, which has many complex and interrelated causes and all to such damaging effect.

If it takes a village to raise a child, then it is not only our hard-pressed public servants who must be concerned but also all of us, the community of Hexham, to any diminishment of a space contributing so much to our wellbeing.

CLAIRE MAXWELL

Hexham