TEIGNMOUTH Orangery is preparing for the summer season despite a spate of Winter vandal attacks.
The grade II listed building in the grounds of Bitton House has been targeted on a number of occasions. Eleven windows have been smashed and the delicate 19th century framework damaged. Vandals have graffittied the walls, which will have to be cleaned by dedicated volunteers. The Friends of the Orangery, the charity that looks after the building, has been left 'very depressed', by the damage. Chairman Malcolm Rae said: 'The old girl really deserves better. 'The poor, beautiful Orangery is looking derelict and we will have to do a lot of work to present a cleaner face to visitors,' he said. The much-prized bougainvillea has been damaged by the icy winds rushing through the broken windows. But volunteer gardeners are hopeful that it will survive. The Strelitzia flowers are set to be a hit with its Bird of Paradise plumage. Landlord of the building, Teignbridge Council, have patched the windows with plastic sheeting as a temporary measure, but is faced with little funding for the horticultural attraction. The orangery will officially open on Tuesday, May 2. It will be open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays and bank holidays.