Grandmother, 86, is left devastated after killjoy council destroys her retirement garden display
A grandmother is devastated after the bummer’s bosses trash the garden of her retirement home – because they are a ‘health and safety risk’.
Gillian Davies, 86, was moved to tears when workers commissioned by South Kesteven District Council destroyed the garden she had spent hundreds of pounds on and worked on for the past 17 years.
Robert Reid, the council’s cabinet minister for housing and real estate, claimed that the plants blocked an emergency exit and that it was in the interests of safety that they be removed.
The retired farm worker started brightening up the outdoor space with a friend when she moved to Emlyn’s Gardens retirement home in Stamford, Lincolnshire, in 2006.
She transformed the community garden by growing plants and adding ornaments and furniture, for which she won an award.
But she was stunned when the council told her she didn’t have permission to garden and it had to be removed.
Workers sent by South Kesteven District Council destroyed Gillian Davies’ garden, which she had worked on for 17 years. In the photo: before and after
The 86-year-old (far right) was devastated after the council ordered her display in the garden of her retirement home removed. Pictured LR: Jillian Murcott and her daughter Claire White with Gillian Davies and her son Stephen Taylor
Mrs. Davies’ plants were uprooted by the workers and dumped in a heap in the garden
Robert Reid, the council’s cabinet minister for housing and real estate, claimed the plants blocked an emergency exit
Last Friday, she was heartbroken when township spoilsports tore up years of hard work and smashed her shed with debris.
Her potted plants were also uprooted and dumped in a heap in the garden, and the wooden trellis she had erected was pulled down.
The 28-year-old grandmother said: ‘They used a big hammer to smash my shed and plastic container and started taking all my jewelry.
“I’ve lost everything.”
Her son Stephen, 60, a caravan maintenance technician, added: ‘She doesn’t have long to go. That’s all she has. She loved that garden.
“She used to do it with her friend until her friend died. She has done it for 17 years. She also won a prize for the garden
“What they have done now is a joke. I don’t see anyone going out and using it right now.
“It’s the way they destroyed everything, they used a big hammer with which they destroyed the shed.
“She was a great gardener, but being 86 she can get a lot now. She knew it wasn’t just her garden, but anyone could use it.
She said to me, “I’ve had enough of life.” How could they do this to an elderly and disabled woman?
“They say it was a fire hazard and they would fall over the rocks in the garden. But there are trails here.
“They broke all her trellis, her plastic box up. They pulled up all her plants and dumped them.
“The neighbor said she wished she’d never moved in now.”
Another resident, Jillian Murcott, 83, who recently moved into the council-owned retirement home, said: ‘It’s called Emlyn’s Gardens, but where are the gardens?
‘I’ve been in one house since 1978. I came here and in a week I’ve seen more unrest and destruction.’
This is a photo of the garden after the workers removed Mrs Davies’ displays
Pictured are the decorations removed from the garden display
The sheds, bought by a resident of the house, were also demolished
Councilor Robert Reid said: ‘Common areas are for all tenants to enjoy, but are owned by the council, who ensure they are safe and well maintained.
‘The communal area at Emlyn’s Gardens provides an escape route in the event of a fire and it is therefore essential that it is kept clear at all times.
‘The council has met with the tenant to explain the situation and they too have been informed by letter of the need to clear away personal items and remove the shed, but have not done so.
‘After being removed by the council, some items are now in the possession of a family member and others remain in Emlyn’s Gardens awaiting collection.
‘We have now started restoring the garden to create a safe place for all tenants to use and benefit from.’
The South Kesteven District Council has been approached by MailOnline for comment.