Council looking to save Overtoun Park bandstand targeted by 'senseless' vandals in blaze

dailyrecord.co.uk:

South Lanarkshire Council pledge to do their best to save bandstand targeted by "senseless" vandals in Overtoun Park blaze.Officers and firefighters raced to Overtoun Park in Rutherglen on Saturday, June 1, at around 12.09am, to fight the bandstand fire - that is being treated as ‘wilful’.Crews were at the scene until 1.56am to ensure the area was made safe, with enquiries still ongoing.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Council leader Joe Fagan responded to the news, by saying: "This senseless act of vandalism has shocked us all and set back work to restore the bandstand already in progress ahead of Rutherglen's historic 900th anniversary."Council officials are working to assess the full extent of the damage and we are hoping the metal structure has been spared from the worst of the fire damage.“If the bandstand can be saved, then we will make every effort to do so, working with the community and potential funders.“We hope this symbol of Rutherglen's built heritage can be part of Rutherglen's future."Labour's Rutherglen candidate for the upcoming General Election, Michael Shanks, attended the scene with councillor Margaret Cowie.He said: "It was a devastating scene to see the much-loved Rutherglen icon of the bandstand go up in flames last night in a wilful act of dangerous, stupid and criminal