21 January 2024 , 12:24
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A campsite has been churned up and partially destroyed by a roaming band of wild boar.
The tusked invaders have wreaked havoc at a West Country campsite in the Forest of Dean, leaving a previously perfect camping spot as nothing more than a mud pit after the boar's rampage. Bracelands, based in Coleford, has been hit hard by these wild creatures. The new owners took charge of the site in April 2023, unaware of the close proximity of the boars.
The campsite is now in the hands of Spencer Pettit, 49, and Kevin Webster, 61. They planned to perform crucial maintenance on the site, but are instead focusing on fixing damages caused by the boar invasion, Devon Live reported.
Spencer said: "As new operators of Bracelands we had been getting to know the site and area. We knew the wild boar were part of the landscape, just we did not realise they were so close. The boar found an entrance into the campsite as a fence was broken. We did not realise the fence was broken until it was too late, as the campsite is surround by trees and forest, and fences are not always visible.
On a separate occasion boar churned up a graveyard in Cinderford (Gloucester Live / SWNS)"There has been so much damage and it looks as like industrial digging equipment has been in and churned up the camping area. You have to see it all to believe it."
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The team hired a new member to help with repairs and remains hopeful that they can welcome holiday campers to Bracelands during the summer months.
Spencer continued: "Forestry England are our landlords, and we are branded as Forestry England campsite. However Forestry England are not able to help us with putting this right. We put a plea out on Facebook asking if any contractors were free to help us. The reaction seemed to be people thought it was our fault, and the public's view on the boar is divided."
The team at Bracelands are working tirelessly to fix the damage, they have said, and have advised people to book early if they're planning to camp later in the year. Spencer warned: "Even if we can repair the damage, it will be unlikely the ground will be ready for a tent being put up. There are limited spaces, so booking early to secure a place for camping is advised."
Forestry England have clarified that it's up to Bracelands to sort out the damage caused by the boar, which have a reputation for causing chaos in the towns in and around the Forest of Dean. Residents use special bins to stop the snuffling mammals from getting into the waste receptacles.
A spokesperson for Forestry England explained: "The fencing and security of the campsite is the responsibility of our tenants, and we are unable to take on responsibilities that are not those of Forestry England. Forestry England staff have supported Bracelands Campsite with the clear up of damaged fencing and have made recommendations of which contractors to contact for the repair work."
Homeowners plagued by brazen wild boar have been urged to protect their property with 5ft electric fences as the beasts continue to destroy gardens and graveyards. The animals used to hide in the thick woodlands around the Forest of Dean but in recent years but they have begun venturing into residential streets.
Forestry Commission chiefs have urged locals to invest in strong, high fences if they want to keep the boar out - and even consider electric or barbed wire. But critics have slammed the advice and claim locals blighted by the 1,500 free-roaming pigs are being left to "fend for themselves". Locals were dismayed to find the ground at St John the Evangelist Church in Cinderford had been churned up by the mammals.
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