Vandals target pre-school for second time

A tree with purple and green wires tied to it. Orange wires are also tied between two trees in the clearing in a forest.Image source, Adrian Harms/BBC
Image caption,

A rural pre-school has been hit by vandals for a second time after its zip lines were "cut down"

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The owners of a family-run nursery in Surrey said "selfish" vandals were "taking pleasure from children" after the rural school was targeted for a second time.

A zip line at Little Rays Outdoor Learning Pre-School, in Godalming, was "cut down" on the private nature reserve.

Owner Pauline Cheeseman said the damage could cost hundreds to repair, but the school "will not be deterred" by the damage.

Her daughter, Mairead, who helps to run the site, said: "I think it's quite selfish."

She added: "You are taking pleasure away from children.

"It was all cut down and that's not very nice for the children to see. It really upsets the staff because they're really passionate about getting the children outside."

Mairead Cheeseman, left, and Pauline Cheeseman. Both are wearing blue fleeces with a yellow and blue logo of a blue cloud and yellow sun. They are standing in front of a forest clearing with trees with a zipwire tied between them.Image source, Adrian Harms/BBC
Image caption,

Mairead Cheeseman and Pauline Cheeseman run Little Rays Outdoor Learning Pre-School

Little Rays caters for children between two and five, and runs a holiday club for children up to the age of 11.

The nursery, based on the Losely Estate, also had its zip line damaged in March last year.

The matter has been reported to Surrey Police, Ms Cheeseman said.

After setting up a fundraiser to cover the costs after the first incident, Ms Cheeseman said the school would pay for repairs itself this time.

She added that a benefactor had come forward to pay for the zip line, costing about £80.

The nursery will also be installing a CCTV camera to try and catch those responsible, she added.

Ms Cheeseman said: "We are here just for the children and you are destroying their property as I see it. I don't understand why you would want to do this.

"We will not be deterred, we will continue."

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