Berry costly vandalism at ponds

editorial@hamhigh.co.uk
12 August 2005

SOME protesters might use superglue to make their point, but in Hampstead they use wild berries.

A disgruntled swimmer objected to paying for a dip in Hampstead's bathing ponds by blocking the ticket machine with berries.

The swimmer stuffed the fruit into the coin slot of the machine by the men's pond on Saturday, causing more than £1,000 of damage.

Peter Cuming, a member of the United Swimmers' Association, said: "It is pretty mindless of whoever did it but we deplore needless expenditure on the Heath and that includes repairing machines."

Corporation of London engineers were called out to repair the £6,500 machine on Monday. A CoL spokeswoman said: "We would appeal to people not to damage the machines. We are desperately trying to raise money not spend money.

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