Wigan: Stone worth £20k stolen from 19th Century church

Wigan: Stone worth £20k stolen from 19th Century church

In a shocking incident, over 50 York sandstones were stolen from the historic St George’s Church in Tyldesley, Wigan, Greater Manchester. The Grade II listed church, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary, suffered extensive damage in the early hours of Thursday morning. Councillor James Fish, who discovered the vandalism, estimated that the cost to repair the stolen stones would exceed £20,000.

Following the discovery of the theft, Councillor Fish wasted no time in initiating a fundraising campaign to replace the stolen stones. He expressed his disappointment at the act of vandalism, especially during a significant milestone for the church. St George’s Church acknowledged the outpouring of support from volunteers who helped clean up the aftermath of the theft.

Despite efforts to identify the culprits through CCTV footage from local businesses, the church faces a substantial financial burden. Each stolen stone is valued between £120-£150, making the overall cost of the theft quite significant. The local community, however, has rallied together to show support for the church and help in any way they can. The church warden, Iain Hodcroft, emphasized the damage caused to the churchyard and expressed gratitude for the support received from neighbors, businesses, and volunteers

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