**Forest Nursery in Merthyr Tydfil Reeling After Twin Vandal Attacks**
An outdoor pre-school in Pentrebach, near Merthyr Tydfil, is struggling to move past a sombre period after being twice targeted by vandals in the space of just two weeks. Forest Friends, a forest nursery that prides itself on offering young children a rare chance to embrace nature-based learning, finds itself reeling after equipment was stolen and a blaze ignited within the premises.
The ordeal began during the Easter holidays, when Ceri Samuels, founder and leader of Forest Friends, arrived to find a broken window in the outdoor classroom. On that occasion, nothing appeared to be stolen, and the staff resolved to move on from the unsettling experience. However, any sense of security soon evaporated. Just a fortnight later, on the morning of Monday, 12 May, Ms Samuels discovered a far more concerning scene: precious equipment had vanished and the charred evidence of a small fire remained just outside the premises.
Ms Samuels detailed the distressing finds, listing items such as a wooden bird table, a bug trap door, tyres from the digging zone, balance beams, and even a small wicker seat as among those taken. Many of the items, she explained, were either costly purchases funded through the tight nursery budget or else generous donations collected in her spare time. After being stolen, some pieces were discarded back over the fence, and a fire was started with the debris.
In a reflective statement, Ms Samuels shared how the incidents had deeply affected her. “Arriving that Monday and realising what had happened was just devastating,” she said. “When I first noticed things were missing, I hoped the children had simply moved them, but then I found what was left of the fire. I did cry – not so much for what was lost, but because it felt so personal, like we were being deliberately singled out. Creating this space for the children to thrive in and learn from nature has been a labour of love, and it’s heart-breaking to see someone try to take that away.”
With 15 years’ experience in early years education, Ms Samuels’ passion for connecting children with the natural environment was the driving force behind establishing Forest Friends. The school is the first of its kind in Merthyr Tydfil, and its mission is simple: to nurture children by learning with natural resources and away from digital distractions. “Seeing their smiles every morning is what makes all the effort worthwhile,” she said.
The recent attacks have not only dented morale but have also placed a significant financial strain on the nursery, as most of its funding typically goes directly towards supporting the children’s experiences. To protect the site from future incidents, Forest Friends is looking to invest in a taller, anti-climb fence. Efforts are underway to raise funds for the repairs and additional security by launching an online GoFundMe appeal. In a message to supporters, the nursery emphasises how deeply the events have shaken the community: “Our special outdoor space has suffered two acts of vandalism that have hit our limited finances hard. We want nothing more than to continue offering a magical experience to our little learners.”
Forest Friends has also taken time to thank families and community members for their gestures of support. Ms Samuels singled out the “heartfelt encouragement and solidarity” shown by parents, noting that their kind words have brought comfort during a difficult time. “The backing we have received underlines the value of this unique outdoor school and the strength of the wider community,” she said.
Police are investigating the incidents, but so far, efforts to identify those responsible have stalled. CCTV footage has not yielded any clear leads. The nursery is working closely with authorities, but for now, uncertainty hangs over the future.
While Ms Samuels and her team remain hopeful that further security measures will prevent repeats of the attacks, those who value outdoor and nature-based education in Merthyr Tydfil are left asking: why would anyone want to disrupt a space designed to inspire and nurture young minds? The community’s resilient response, however, suggests that support for Forest Friends will endure long after the vandals have faded from memory.
A spokesperson for South Wales Police confirmed they have been made aware of the criminal damage and thefts, and that anyone with information is urged to come forward. The nursery, meanwhile, is determined not to let adversity extinguish its passion for igniting curiosity among the children of Merthyr Tydfil.