Vandals Cause Extensive Damage to Great Yarmouth Minster Windows
According to a BBC article, published on June 9th, the historic Great Yarmouth Minster, the largest parish church in England, was targeted by vandals who hurled stones at its leaded windows, shattering dozens of diamond-shaped panes and severely damaging one large stained-glass window. The attack occurred in broad daylight, while church wardens were still cleaning up earlier damage. During the cleanup, another stone was thrown through a window, prompting staff to run outside and spot two teenage boys fleeing the scene.
The Reverend Canon Simon Ward, team rector for Great Yarmouth, described the incident as “disheartening,” adding, “You wish everybody could be aware of how it hurts the people who love this place.” He reported a wide range of support from the local community, noting that the local Islamic community was among the first to reach out with messages of solidarity following the attack.
One of the church's windows was so severely damaged that it had to be removed entirely. Canon Ward estimated the cost of restoring that single window alone at around £15,000, with dozens of smaller panes also broken. In addition to the shattered glass, stones and chunks of masonry thrown into the church damaged the lectern balustrade and choir stalls.
Another church warden, Paul Spychal, had been removing debris from the window frames when he also encountered the youths. He described them as teenagers and said they ran off after a brief conversation. Reflecting on the experience, he said: “I’d like to offer the two boys the opportunity to come into the church and see the church and engage with the community in the church and realise the church is there for them. Hopefully the welcome will persuade them not to carry on with these remiss actions.”
While discussions have begun around the potential installation of protective guards over the windows to prevent future attacks, Rev. Ward expressed reluctance about taking such steps. “You don’t want to go down that line of reinforcing and defending,” he said. “We’d rather be inviting and share what a wonderful place this is.”
Source: BBC
Image: Wikipedia