The first evidence that there had been mischief at Tarly Pit was that, yesterday evening, the distinctive mailbox was uprooted and thrown across the site entrance.
The damage done to the box is self-evident.
The police were immediately responsive to a call to report the incident. They said that a member of the forensic investigation team would be at the school within ten minutes. The van appeared on time. Material was taken for the sake of fingerprints.
Only in this morning’s daylight could the extent of damage be assessed. Then the clearing up began.
There were wood shavings and compost scattered liberally around the plat. The furniture on the field had been overturned or slung around. Most of it was not too difficult to begin to remedy. But …
this picnic table with benches is heavy oak; the ground was muddy and very slippery. Down went Mr Peter, head-over-heals rolling in the mire. Fortunately, the table did not land on him, but the spectacle would have brought laughter to the culprits – and any other witness.
