THE public is being asked to be vigilant for a plant thief or thieves who have been operating in the Crediton area.

During the last two to three years plants have been removed from a number of locations, including Upper Deck and more recently from the garden at St Lawrence Chapel at Threshers.

The St Lawrence Chapel committee is now considering installing cameras to cover the garden and is asking the public to report any suspicious activity following the recent thefts.

A spokesperson for the committee told the “Courier”: “The thefts are always perennials and it always occurs when they are either dying down in autumn, or beginning to show themselves in early spring.

“This is when they are relatively inconspicuous and coincides with good times to move plants.

“It began with the sudden absence of a robust, established bergamot.

“Other plants have gone missing since then and the latest incident, at the end of February/beginning of March, has been quite obvious - the very visible removal of two thirds of a sizeable clump of iris sibirica.

“The resulting hole was filled in and the earth carefully patted down to look undisturbed.

“These plants have been selected or given specifically for the chapel garden.

“The Friends of the Chapel have become so concerned that the police have now been informed.

“When people have been told about these thefts they are amazed that someone would take plants from a special garden belonging to a chapel.

“The Friends are now discussing what may be done about this problem.

“The installation of security cameras is one suggestion.

“It would be regrettable to have to lock the gate to the garden as this would prevent access for legitimate visitors who want to sit in the garden for a quiet time, to meditate, read or simply to escape a busy life for a short while.

“Unfortunately, the garden is almost invisible from the road and there have been no reports to the gardener while working there of any suspicious behaviour.

“If anyone reading this has had a similar problem and has managed to solve it, or has a good idea of what may be done, please speak to the gardener when they are on the premises.”

An Open Afternoon is being held at the historic Chapel and in the Chapel garden on Saturday, May 18, from 2.30pm to 5pm and all are invited to attend.

The Chapel was built in AD 1200. It was used at one time as a reclusorium for an anchorite but fell into disuse before the Reformation. It was later inhabited as three cottages.

In 1920 Ellen Camilla Drake purchased the building and had it restored as a chapel in memory of her husband.

She gave the restored chapel to the Governors of Crediton Parish Church.

For many years it was used for worship by the pupils of Queen Elizabeth’s School.

It is still used for regular services.

Do you have a solution to prevent plants being stolen from gardens in Crediton?

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Send your letter to: The Editorial Manager, Crediton Courier, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF.

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