FORESTRY workers and villagers were left shocked after “mindless damage” to an avenue of 100 newly-planted trees and the theft of a commemorative centenary anniversary plaque.

Former Forestry Commission staff along with present Forestrt England employees had spent a wet and cold morning planting 100 walnut and small-leaved lime trees in Coalway and unveiling the commemorative plaque on November 14.

The plaque engraved with “This avenue was planted to celebrate 100 years of Forestry 1919-2019” was mounted on a large piece of Forest Stone at the start of the avenue near Nagshead Lodge.

But it disappeared within hours and the trees were vandalised, with Forestry England (FE) urging people to get in touch with any information on its whereabouts (pictured above) or the damage.

An FE spokesperson said: “We were saddened to see the mindless damage of several trees and the theft of the plaque just hours after our centenary event. 

“The avenue of trees and the plaque served as a tribute to all staff that worked for the Forestry Commission over the last 100 years.

“Despite this awful incident the community of Coalway has been fantastic, with kind offers of help to contribute towards the replacement of the trees and plaque and residents checking CCTV footage to try and identify the culprit.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gloucestershire Police on 101 quoting 118 –18/11/19.