A gravestone that was used as a prop in the 1984 film adaptation of A Christmas Carol has been destroyed in Shrewsbury. The inscribed stone had been located in the graveyard next to St Chad’s Church in the town since the film was released 40 years ago. According to town council clerk Helen Ball, the damage was reported on Sunday. The council is reviewing CCTV footage in an effort to find the vandal.
Many people in Shrewsbury consider the gravestone to be a tourist attraction, Ball noted. “A lot of us go on a Christmas pilgrimage to see it,” she said. The grave is featured in the film when Ebenezer Scrooge is confronted by the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, and he wipes away snow to reveal his own name. The film was directed by Clive Donner and starred George C Scott in the central role.
Ball condemned the vandalism, saying that it had caused upset to many members of the community. Meanwhile, the daughter of the creator of the gravestone has contacted council staff about the damage, and expressed her father’s unhappiness at what has occurred. Ball said that the council would try to determine whether it was possible to restore the gravestone, provided that all of the pieces remain in the same place.
At the time of writing, local police had not revealed any leads regarding the identity of the vandal. The damage has been condemned on Facebook by many Shrewsbury residents. “It happened in a graveyard, and the disrespect that has been shown is evident,” Ball said. “The person who did it may have a conscience and decide to own up.”
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