Michael Evans and grandson Aled Jones over the plot where a tree was stolen at Gnoll Park.
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A NEATH family says it has been left heartbroken after a memorial tree in honour of a loving great-grandmother was stolen.
Less than one month ago members of Claris Evans's family gathered to plant a cherry blossom tree in her memory at Gnoll Country Park.
Despite passing away three years ago, at the age of 97, Claris's family wanted to mark what would have been her 100th year.
The family were just waiting for a commemoration plaque to arrive to complete the tribute, when one of Claris's great-grandsons discovered it was missing on Friday.
Claris's daughter Elizabeth Evans said she was devastated that someone could do such a thing.
She said her nephew had gone to the park to check on the tree on Friday, only to discover a hole in the ground. "He was in tears. He said 'nanna's tree is gone'."
Elizabeth added: "For this to happen, it's just awful, we are all very upset. I could not believe it. It's just sick - it's stealing from the dead.
"My mother used to love going up the Gnoll, so that's why we planted it there. It's a memorial tree - it's like stealing from a grave.
"My mother was such a kind and very gentle person. She loved the kids and the kids loved her. Everybody knew her as Nanna Clar."
Claris' granddaughter, Melanie Jones, whose son discovered the tree was missing, said all of the family was upset about the theft.
She said after speaking to the park warden she realised it was the first memorial tree ever to be taken from the Gnoll. "We want to highlight the fact that someone has stolen a memorial tree - it's a horrible thing to do. I just cannot believe someone could be so cruel," she added.
Read more: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Neath-family-left-heartbroken-memorial-tree-theft/story-29138310-detail/story.html#ixzz46L9YCwIJ
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