AN arson attack has destroyed the play house at Tavistock Primary School. The building, which is in the nursery area, was set alight sometime over the weekend. Headteacher Joe Flynn said all that was left were a few charred stakes sticking out of the ground. The damage is estimated at £800. Nearby trees were also scorched. Mr Flynn said: ?We were lucky not to have had a major incident. Unfortunately, we have had a series of minor incidents of vandalism since we returned to school, but this weekend they have gone to town.? My Flynn said he was ?disgusted? people would want to take something from their ?most vulnerable children?. As well as the nursery group, the play house was used by special needs children. The house has been rebuilt several times by parents, and Mr Flynn hopes it will be replaced. He said other recent incidents had included damage to fencing, gates and notice-boards. On Tuesday night of last week someone attacked the millenium mosaic to which all the children had contributed. The mosaic will have to be rebuilt. Vandals on Monday night smashed three windows and ripped off new roofing. ?It is a shame one or two people are spoiling things. I like to think we are an open school ? we don?t want fences and guard dogs around,? said Mr Flynn. Whitchurch and Horrabridge Primary Schools also suffered vandalism over the same weekend. At Whitchurch this included a bottle being thrown through the window of a hut, damage to a drinking fountain, gate, flower beds and door latch. At Horrabridge, two drainpipes were ripped off a wall. Anyone with information on any of the attacks is asked to contact Tavistock police.
