ARSONISTS have destroyed a shelter used by children at a Fishponds pre-school.

The wooden structure was built two years ago as part of a project to create a ‘wild garden’ at Sticky Fish Pre-School, at Fishponds Baptist Church in Downend Road.

The project was led by the pre-school’s late manager Liz Tomlinson, who died earlier this year.

New pre-school manager Jen Wylie said: “It’s a great shame as for us as a preschool, as it’s taken away something of meaning for us.

“Liz wanted to use the shelter to take groups of children out for music and stories outdoors. We can’t do that now because it has been destroyed.”

Liz led a fundraising campaign towards the £15,000 overall cost of the wild garden project.

The shelter pictured just after it was finished in 2023

The shelter (above) was designed and built using locally-sourced wood by the East Bristol Carpentry Collective in St Werburgh’s.

The Wild Garden is on church property and accessible via the graveyard, which is open for people to pay their respects to loved ones.

It was intended to be accessible to the community – but Jen said this had been abused.

She said neighbours had reported anti-social behaviour happening within the garden, including drug taking and even dog fights.

Jen said: “Liz didn’t want a massive fence around it, and neither did the church.

“We had staff in the daytime finding kids smoking weed in the shelter. We said we don’t mind you being here, but please can you respect the garden?”

Sticky Fish manager Liz Tomlinson pictured in the outdoor learning area next to the Wild Garden, with early years teacher Tanya Bashford and children. Liz, who died earlier this year, led a fundraising campaign for the Wild Garden

The pre-school has launched an online appeal to pay for improvements to its outdoor environment in the aftermath of the attack.

It can be found here.

A police spokesperson said the shelter had been set on fire at about 6am on August 26.

The incident is not being linked with other recent arson attacks in the area.

Officers are collecting CCTV footage and have delivered letters to neighbouring homes to try and identify any witnesses.

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting the crime reference number 5225 241 808.