VALUABLE flagstones have been stolen from a Grade II listed church in Greater Manchester, just weeks before it celebrates its bicentenary.
More than 50 flagstones were ripped from the churchyard path at St George’s, Tyldesley, within the diocese of Manchester, on Thursday.
A churchwarden, Iain Hodcroft, said that the damage had been considerable, but thanked neighbours and native businesses for his or her support. More than a dozen volunteers had come to supply their help, and between them were in a position to make the walkway secure.
Some of the York stone had been left within the vicinity, presumably for the thieves to gather later, Mr Hodcroft said. Between them, the volunteers, who included an area builder, had restored the remaining stones to their original position, and made the trail secure.
“People were coming in, saying how upset and offended they were,” Mr Hodcroft said, but stoicism won out: “You should get on and make the most effective of it you’ll be able to.”
An area councillor, James Fish, has began a JustGiving page. As of Tuesday morning, greater than £2000 had been donated to assist to repair the damage, which Mr Fish estimates as more likely to require about £20,000.
He told the Church Times that he hopes that that the trail may be restored in time for the church’s bicentenary celebrations in September.
On Monday, the risk-management director on the specialist church insurers Ecclesiastical, Jo Whyman, advised churches to review their security measures, and to contemplate marking stones forensically as a deterrent to thieves.
“Sadly, incidents where churches are being targeted by thieves are all too common, with items reminiscent of silver, money, statues, artwork, furniture, and even paving stones, as with this recent incident at St George’s, being stolen,” Mr Whyman said.
“In many cases, this historic stonework is irreplaceable, meaning that not only is there the financial cost related to replacing the materials: the history linked to their location is lost for future generations as well.”
Last week’s theft was not the primary of this sort that the church had experienced. About seven years ago, a great quantity of York stone had been lifted from the trail, Mr Hodcroft said.
In December 2022, two men received given custodial sentences for his or her part in a series of comparable crimes across north-west England. A 3rd received a suspended sentence (News, 6 January 2023).
