Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

United Kingdom

Vandals attack 11th Century church only days after £150,000 restoration

A medieval church has been vandalised only days after a £150,000 nine-months’ restoration.

St Mary Magdalene in Caldecote, Hertfordshire, had been re-opened for ten days before vandals broke in.

They smashed windows and set off powder fire extinguishers.

Advertisement

They also poured bleach on the alter and pews – causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Religious items were also damaged.

Friends of Friendless Churches spent £150,000 on the renovation.

The charity fixed the roof – already damaged by lead thieves – and repaired seating.

The oldest part of the church has a Norman window.

The lower walls date back to the 11th Century.

Rachel Morley, director of Friends of Friendless Churches, said repairs to the windows alone would cost £5,000.

Ms Morley said: “It just seems so pointless.

“I can’t understand why somebody would want to do that, but obviously [they] got a thrill from doing it.

“I’ve been in this job for four years and this is the first example of anything like this that I’ve experienced.

“As soon as it’s clean and looking good again it will be open again every day for visitors.

“When you attract genuine visitors, I think it’s a really good deterrent for these things happening.”

 

Comments

Latest Tweets

Advertisement

You May Also Like

United Kingdom

Film director Ridley Scott has recalled the death of actor Oliver Reed while making the Oscar winning blockbuster Gladiator. Scott said hard-drinking Reed “just...

Business

The controversial Russian businessman Viktor Baturin, well-known for his years-long counterstanding with his wealthy sister Elena, widow of Moscow ex-mayor Yuri Luzhkov, is likely...

United Kingdom

The Tremeloes. Dave Munden centre Dave Munden the Tremeloes drummer – and often lead singer – with the 60s chart toppers has died. He...

United Kingdom

The Watneys Party Seven is making a comeback. The ubiquitous 70s beer was a bland fizzing bitter ridiculed by many. The drink’s insipidness helped...