CIGARETTE buts, smashed bottles and a strong smell of cannabis – these were just some of the things that were found and smelled at a beloved National Trust site behind a fence that is supposed to prohibit access to members of the public.
Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses is an iconic and popular site for nature lovers, families and people from near and far, however, the site is facing an increasing problem with visitors not respecting the beauty spot.
In recent weeks, outrage was sparked after two of the rock houses, Nanny's Rock and Vale Rock, which are not accessible to the general public due to safety reasons, were subjected to vandalism, with large tags and designs being spray-painted on the sandstone.
She said: “What people don’t realise is that they are damaging historic cultural property, which then means we’re having to spend time, money and resources to try and eradicate it.
“That’s money that we should have been spending on positive conservation, and it means that we’re having to divert charity funds to clean up this mess.
“It’s really saddening to see.”
Although Ms Hales said vandalism like this recent graffiti is “rare”, it is not the only thing that is plaguing the off-limits section of Kinver Edge.
The Stourbridge News saw for itself smashed glass beer bottles and food wrappers scattered across the floor, as well as the charred remains of a disposable BBQ, which not only left behind a mess, but also posed a serious risk to the dry and leafy environment.
In the short time we were granted access to the vandalised site, being escorted by Ms Hale, two people were found to be in the prohibited area and were walked back to the public footpath.
Ms Hale said: “It’s fenced off for a reason, because it isn’t safe.
“Not only is it dismaying to see the vandalism and the litter, but the people who are coming up here are putting themselves at risk as well.
“Having BBQs is especially dangerous, given the environment around Kinver Edge.”
The Rock Houses, like all National Trust properties, relies on donations from the public and the goodwill of volunteers to maintain the site, with Ms Hale saying that “scrubbing off paint” from the historic walls should not fall into this remit.
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