Beloved mosaic destroyed in attack on schoolchildren's art

Blue tiles decorating the junction of the River Kennet and River Thames, known as Kennet Mouth, were found in pieces on Wednesday, June 29.

They were discovered by Ed Woloszyn, 66, one of a few neighbouring residents who volunteered their time to clean the area last year.

Photograph taken by Ed Woloszyn before the vandalism

Photograph taken by Ed Woloszyn after the vandalism

“Somebody, for reasons I cannot fathom, has wanted to literally attack that mosaic,” said Mr Woloszyn, of Cholmeley Road.

“I’m mystified; dismayed; saddened; sorry for the people that use it, who have enjoyed sitting on that bench; frustrated.”

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He described the tiles as too implanted to have been kicked about by passing vandals and said the concrete has been indented with the mark of a tool.

In March last year, Mr Woloszyn spent four days cutting, raking and binning brambles and rubbish which had covered the site.

Some of the pieces were deposited behind a nearby fence, photographed by Ed Woloszyn

“It’s an amazing place by the river and it had been allowed to get into that kind of a mess.”

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Community group Save Our Ancient Riverside took on the mantle in May the same year.

But their efforts have been undermined by the destruction of the mosaic.

“Why would somebody want to do that?” Said Mr Woloszyn.