Golf club closes for a few days after travellers appear and cause damage
By Alistair Dunsmuir
A golf club in Shrewsbury has been forced to close for a few days after several caravans appeared on the course and images of damage to the venue were shared online.
Meole Brace Golf Club has also said the travellers assaulted golfers, and stole balls and clubs.
Image from Facebook
“Travellers broke into the golf course on Saturday evening [June 1] and set up camp on the sixth fairway,” said a club spokesman on June 4, adding that bailiffs had been notified.
“Unfortunately, it is with great regret that we have had to close the golf course for a few days.
Image from Facebook
“We tried to continue with business as usual on Sunday, but many of our players were harassed, intimidated and in at least one case assaulted by the travellers’ kids.
“Balls and clubs were stolen and there have been several cases of vandalism to the course.
Image from Facebook
“We appreciate your patience while we try to get rid of the problem and repair and clean up the mess and damage caused.”
One club member, Melvyn Bailey, said: “I’ve been going to the golf club for years, we play once a week on a Friday.
Image from Facebook
“I’ve been on a cycle ride today and cycled by and saw the caravans. They’ve chopped up all the green.
“It’s a crying shame, it’s over 100 years old, that club.
Image from Facebook
“With the nice weather it’s really annoying – we missed a lot of last winter because it got water logged.”
A Shropshire Council spokesman said: “After negotiations with the travellers, we attempted to open the golf course on Sunday morning with a slightly adapted layout as to not interfere with the vehicles, and with the agreement that no mess, damage or interference would be caused by them. However, after numerous incidents, reports of antisocial behaviour and damage to the greens, the decision was made to close the course entirely until the travellers have vacated the site.
Image from Facebook
He added that the police have also visited the site.
“We will now undertake the necessary repairs and look at preventative measures to secure the site.”
By Alistair Dunsmuir
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This is truly disappointing to hear about Meole Brace Golf Club. It’s heartbreaking that a historic venue faces such disrespect and vandalism. Hopefully, the situation resolves quickly so golfers can return to enjoy the course. Community support is essential during times like this. Wishing the club a swift recovery!
Demanding money with menaces is a serious criminal offence so action should have been taken by the relevant authorities. However what action do you expect from the Woke Police….! Nothing more to say here is there?
Demanding money with menaces is a serious criminal offence so action should have been taken by the relevant authorities. However what action do you expect from the Woke Police….! Nothing more to say here is there?
If only all 500 members turned up with a pitching wedge to “practice”, I’m sure the Police would turn up and ensure they were moved then
It’s now a P.C. World being abused for the benefit of the few, not the many.
Hope they’re changed for tge damage caused
Let me guess, they were protesters, saying that the course used to much water and fertilizer and it’s the reason the sun will fall from the sky if golfers continue to play.
Absolute shame how some think that damaging the ground will deter others from their means of fun and relaxation. Let them try that at Wimbledon or Wembley. And they find themselves under Scotland Yard.
If I put a tent on the course and parked my car next to it the police would be moving me on immediately. Why do these people seem to be treated differently?
I am from South Africa
Everyone talks about our crime.
This would not be allowed.
“Hulle sal kak”
Why do these people get away with anti social behaviour. They are the scum of the earth. Pay no taxes and park where they want. Round them up and jail every last one
This happened on Drayton park ( Staffordshire ) and they wanted £400 to leave
Blow up their caravans..theyll soon get the message
Blow up their caravans..theyll soon get the message
Shame on these idiots!
They do great damage to Appleby every year. They even worked a horse to death this week.
I have never seen anything like that. Have the authorities done anything to remedy the situation?
Same thing happened at my golf course in Tadcaster . The owners confronted them and they offered to move on for a large sum of money .
Luckily one of the members worked in the legal profession and somehow got them moved off after a couple of days . The law needs to be applied by the relevant authorities to these parasites .
Travellers did exactly the same to the legendary Gatton golf course 10 years ago. Rode motor bikes over greens and bunkers, lit fires on the fairways and left untold damage to numerous holes. 1000’s in repair costs for the club. I wonder why travellers have a poor reputation
Why the hell won’t the police do anything? If I did this at my local course, I’d be arrested. But of course, I’m not a vagrant, nor a non-tax payer. Police are totally useless, only interested in prosecuting ‘speeding’ motorists.