'Mindless' - Graves damaged in wrecking spree at Coventry's oldest church

[dutchman]

Headstones pushed over at St Mary Magdalene Church in Wyken in 'senseless and upsetting crime'



Gravestones have been pushed over in a wrecking spree at Coventry’s oldest church.

A dozen headstones were felled in the act of vandalism at St Mary Magdalene Church, in Wyken.

Its vicar, Rev Linda Mudd, said some of the damaged graves are still lovingly tended.

“People keep them tidy and put flowers down,” she said. “They would have to pay for the repairs and it’s not fair.”

The church is more than 900 years old and some of the damaged graves are more than a century old.

Rev Mudd added: “I don’t know whether this was just a sheer act of vandalism or there are underlying issues. You don’t know why people do what they do.

“I do hope if someone has got a genuine need or problem they would feel able to come and speak to myself or someone in church.

“This time of year it does look absolutely beautiful with all the spring bulbs. It’s just a shame as we celebrate Easter and the risen Lord Jesus that the love he has for everybody hasn’t touched the person responsible for this act.”

St Mary Magdalene churchwarden Janet Colgrave appealed for any eye witnesses to come forward.

“It’s really sad for the families who still tend the graves,” she said.

“I feel sad they never thought about what the repercussions were and how upset some people will be. I’m speechless, it is mindless.”

West Midlands Police are investigating the vandalism which happened on Sunday.

Sgt Julie Harrison said: “We are aware of damage to several gravestones at St Mary Magdalene Church which happened on Sunday.

“We are working with the church to try and identify the relatives of the graves involved and we are also looking at ways to prevent this happening in the future.

“This is a senseless and upsetting crime and we are investigating to catch those responsible.”

Anyone who wants to make a donation to funding grave repairs can call the church on 024 7661 2316.

Coventry Police can be contacted on 101 and information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

[Melisandre]

Makes me wonder what kind of people live in Coventry now do do such a thing.

[rebbonk]

As a kid I used to often 'play' in that graveyard and the open space at the back of the church, and my brother was christened there. That some has seen fit to do this makes me angry.

There was allegedly a pirate's grave in the cemetery there, not that I ever remember it: though a chat with the vicar a few years back revealed that a previous vicar had moved the headstone because he was fed up with sightseers. Sadly, my conversational partner didn't know just where the headstone had been hidden.