Blogger’s Note: I have spent a number of holidays in Cornwall and understand the people and the place to a certain degree. As a Celtic area virtually untouched by the Roman Occupation – many feel that Cornwall is not a part of England. Furthermore in the past, Cornwall has given rise to “Revolutionary” activity. Although under-invested today – being a rural playground for the rich – poverty still abounds throughout the urban housing estates. I once heard a news article on the local “Pirate FM” (when staying in Camelford researching the King Arthur Legend) that five-year-old children were going to school still wearing nappies, unable to say their own names, or feed themselves properly. A shocking state of affairs primarily effecting the local Cornish. Meanwhile, White middle-class English incomers take advantage of this poor economics and buy-up acres of cheap property – using it for holiday homes. The former British Tory Prime Minister – David Cameron – used to spend luxurious hunting holidays in Cornwall – whilst doing absolutely nothing to relieve the grinding poverty suffered by the indigenous population. Still, at least the lady in-charge of the giraffe – possesses the strength of character not to immediately resort to crowd-funding as an answer – as this is a hideous late-capitalist convention that removes a national government’s responsibility toward its tax-paying citizens (as citizens, we pay billions in tax to see it asset-stripped from the NHS and given as free hand-outs to Neo-Nazi Ukraine and Zionist Israel). Furthermore, those who commit criminal acts should pay for the damage they have done. ACW (19.8.2026)
- by Lisa Letcher
- 12:28, 18 Aug 2026 – Updated12:54, 18 Aug 2026
‘My heart and soul went into creating Julian. My husband died just over two years ago and I know that he would be as devastated as I am.’
A small Cornish community is in mourning after a garden mascot known as Julian Giraffe was destroyed in a senseless act of vandalism.
Valerie Grace Boakes, of Crowlas, near Penzance, painstakingly built the figure from scratch more than ten years ago with the help of her late husband. Since then the DIY mammal has been proudly peeping over her garden wall for onlookers to enjoy.
Cruelly, on Saturday night (August 15), Julian Giraffe, named after Julian Fennessy of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation in Namibia, was destroyed in one senseless act of vandalism. “I built him from scratch and hopefully I’ll create another in due time,” said distraught Valerie. “I can’t understand why people would do this.”
“My heart and soul went into creating Julian and my husband helped with the final stages of creating a firm base and ‘hoiking’ him into place peeping over the wall,” she continued. “Sadly my husband died just over two years ago and I know that he would be as devastated as I am.”
Since news of Julian’s demise, there has been a huge outpouring of love from the local community with many commenting on how he brought joy to their day. Some even suggested a fundraiser to go towards repairs or a new rendition of the beloved animal.
“I’m so sorry to see this,” wrote Helen Squire in response to Valerie’s Facebook post. “Ten years of Julian Giraffe quietly peeping over the hedge, bringing a smile to so many, and then this—one senseless act that’s taken that away. It’s hard not to feel angry and deeply disappointed that someone would choose to destroy something made with such care and creativity.”
Anne Short called the act “pointless” saying whoever did it was “really pathetic and mindless”. She added: “Hope the perpetrators are caught and they can be responsible for this stupid act of criminal damage.”
Following the support, Valerie said: “I am overwhelmed with all the wonderful comments and support, I thank you all. The vandalism has been reported to the police, who have not yet responded but I’m hopeful that the culprits will eventually be named and shamed.
“I now know one of the names of the lads involved and I want to let you know that they are not local to this area so rest easy. I have thought about setting up a ‘GoFundMe’ page to re-build and reinstate a new ‘Julian’ but at this stage I’m resisting, in fact, I’m ever hopeful the costs will be met by the offenders.
“I will keep you updated with the ongoing investigations. In the meantime, please be patient, he will be back. Thanks again.”
See below for pictures of Julian in all his glory before the destruction and images of what is sadly left of him.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 