AN allotment plot which was ruined by arsonists has been transformed by kind Barnsley folk after a DIY SOS-style project kicked off just days after the devastating fire.
Paul Hilton lost 30 doves in the blaze at Meadow Street allotments, near Barnsley town centre, early on July 17 despite his best attempts to save them from their burning shed.
His business, Yorkshire Ceremonial Doves, was left in tatters as his beloved birds, which were released at weddings, funerals and remembrance events, perished in the blaze.
But having read about Paul’s story in the Chronicle, residents and businesses have been turning up in force at the allotment plot for the last two weeks to help clear the site and replace ruined sheds and fencing.
“On the Saturday morning after the fire there were about 40 people on the allotment all wanting to help,” Paul, of Meadow Street, said.
“I couldn’t believe it something good has come out of something bad and it’s because of the community’s kindness and generosity.
“You’d have thought DIY SOS (the BBC programme) was behind it. Men, women and kids were helping out and there was even a makeshift kitchen on the site.
“Literally everything we needed to get started up again has been donated and I can’t thank them enough.”
The 55-year-old needed treatment for smoke inhalation after he collapsed while trying to pull the birds to safety he managed to save six but 24 fully-grown doves and six chicks died in the fire.
“I still can’t get my head around why someone would do such a thing,” Paul said. “You can understand if it’s down to nature, but what happened on the allotment was mindless destruction.”
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said anyone with information should call the force on 101, quoting incident number 21 of July 17.
