Granville Country Park by Keith Fowler

No fanciful title this week as for the first time in the history of these events we fell foul of criminal intent when 5 cars, parked in the main car park of Granville CP, were broken into (plus two others belonging to other visitors to the site). As far as I know only Jim had something taken – his bag containing his FSC fold out identification sheets. The sheets were discarded by the miscreants and recovered; I am not sure if he found his bag.

As a result five of our group have to arrange for replacement windows for their cars. Some of the cost will be covered by their insurance but they will still be out of pocket where excesses apply. Add to this the inconvenience of having to secure their vehicles until the repairs can be done, clearing up the mess, making different arrangements as their cars are not available for normal use, reporting the crime to the police, etc.. 

As one of the group commented – at least no-one was hurt. Yes, cars can be repaired and property replaced but it is still annoying.

Before this, thirteen of us set off from the car park on what was to be a figure of eight tour of the site visiting the furnaces and canal basin, the western stockpile, Barnyard pit mound and Waxhill Meadow. As events unfolded we had just left the furnaces when we were told of the break-ins.

We returned to the car park to find five vehicles broken into and three, for some lucky reason, untouched. Once the police had been informed and the affected drivers had attempted to deal with getting their broken windows replaced most went home. Three of us stayed on into the afternoon but it was not with any great enthusiasm.

That is all I want to report, but here are some photographs of the better part of the day.

Keith Fowler