IN RECENT years, people travelling along the A57 through Rainhill have been treated to colourful displays in flower boxes attached to railings at each end of the village.

But some time before Tuesday, July 8 five of the boxes near Rainhill Stoops were emptied of their contents. No debris was left and I can only assume that it was theft rather than vandalism.

If anyone saw the perpetrators or any suspicious behaviour around the time, please report it to the authorities. It has never happened before and we do not want the crime to be repeated.

The council’s work in maintaining these flower boxes is much appreciated by Rainhill residents and also this year there have been many compliments on the wild-flower planting along the grass verges near Rainhill High School.

The three tubs of flowering plants outside St Bartholomew’s School have been replenished and maintained for many years by a member of Rainhill Civic Society as a gesture of public service.

In the past the society has been responsible for planting spring bulbs and trees in public spaces in Rainhill. Our members are actively engaged with the steering committee for the Eco Garden to be developed in Exchange Place.

To encourage residents to contribute to the attractive appearance of the Village, Rainhill Civic Society organises a ‘Rainhill in Bloom’ Competition each year. This is for containers and gardens which can be viewed from areas accessible to the public. Announcements of the winners for 2014 will be announced soon.

All this costs time, money and effort, but “delights the eye” and “lifts the spirits".

Let us hope one or two selfish individuals will not spoil the enjoyment of the majority of people.

Anne Slater, Rainhill Civic Society, rainhill.civic@gmail.com