A MEMORIAL garden in Hubberston has been vandalised, just weeks after local community groups helped tidy it up for a service marking the start of the First World War.

Four men, aged 50, 35, 32 and 27, were issued with Section 27 notices by the police after finding that flowers at the Church Road garden had been pulled up and thrown in the gutter.

The incident happened at around 8.30pm on Saturday (July 19).

A witness said the men had been drinking alcohol, and were also accompanied by two young children.

Local county councillor Viv Stoddart has condemned the incident, which she said had been “disheartening for the community”.

The garden, which neighbours Hubberston Community Centre, had recently been given a makeover by local youngsters, in time for a memorial service on August 4, to mark the centenary of the First World War.

“The vandalism is once again a dispiriting example of the yobbish minority spoiling it for the majority, who respect the memory of those who defended our country,” said Cllr Stoddart.

She praised the efforts of young people from Hakin and Hubberston Youth Club, youth workers Julie Bevington, Dayle Gibby and Nadine Farmer, and Police Community Support Officers from Milford Haven, who all spent two evenings tidying the gardens.

While some had gardening experience, others had never previously lifted a trowel or fork. But everyone worked enthusiastically to eradicate the shrub-choking weeds – a few as big as some of the youngsters themselves!

Cllr Stoddart also thanked Eldermeadows Nursery, which kindly added the finishing touches to the garden by donating bedding plants, which were then planted by young people attending the Light up the Haven event held on Hubberston Green, and Mari William of Keep Wales Tidy, which loaned the small tools and gloves.

“They did a superb job, said Cllr Stoddart. “This was a commendable effort by the community.”