AN OLD church in Tetbury was vandalised, leaving town residents upset and angry.

The inside of the redundant St Saviour’s Church in Church Street was damaged with pages torn from the Bible and decorative carvings knocked off the top of a wooden screen between the pulpit and the altar by kneeler cushions.

The church was also left with flowers strewn over the floor, hymn numbers thrown around, the altar cloth pulled off, mobility wheelchairs interfered with and litter, such as Kinder wrappers, ‘Hula Hoops’ crisps and coke bottles, abandoned in the pews.

It is believed that children or teenagers were responsible for the damage as it occurred sometime during the school Easter holiday period.

The Churches Conservation Trust, which owns the church, has said that it would make plans to patch up the damage to the wooden screen.

Colin Shearer, director of West of the Churches Conservation Trust, commented: “Sadly, last week, damage was reported at St Saviour’s Church to the decorative timber elements - both crosses and ballflowers - on the top rail of the rood screen.

“A painstaking repair will be undertaken by The Churches Conservation Trust to piece the fragments back together as this screen was designed by important Victorian architects Pugin and Hardman.”

He added that the church would remain open to visitors due to the ‘open churches policy’.

He said: “Churches are public buildings designed to serve the local communities they’re in and as such they need to be available to be enjoyed by a wide range of people.

“It is our belief that a historic church in our care is only properly conserved if it can be enjoyed, understood and used by all.”

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

(The damaged wooden frame where decoration was knocked off by kneeler cushions)

Councillor Stephen Hirst, of Tetbury Town Council, said: “There is a feeling of disgust, real disgust, that people would do such a thing.

“The church is kindly left open for people to see what a wonderful church it is and it is a shame that would would do this.

“It is a very unhappy incident and it could have been done by young teenagers.”

Councillor Kevin Painter, said: “This was an act of mindless and wanton destruction by an incurious and callous few. What will they do next?

“This church has been home to many services and watches over the resting place of many many Tetbury residents.

“We are sure the perpetrators will be found.”

He said that if the damage was done by children, they would at least be expected to apologise. He advised anyone with information to contact police.

Sandra Ball, mayor at the town council, said: “Why should people be allowed to damage churches? I think any vandalism is wrong.

“We had people damage gravestones before and I don’t know if that is connected. But now we have the inside of a church damaged.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

(Blair Chadwick of the Churches Conservation Trust, fourth right, Tetbury Civic Society chairman Brian Kimber (fifth right) and members of the blue badge scheme, photo: Kevin Painter)

Sergeant Garrett Gloyn, of Gloucestershire Police, said: “Though nothing was reported us directly, we are aware and we are investigating.

“There may be a witness we have not yet heard from who we are looking to speak to.”

Volunteers at the church will be organising fundraising events over the next few months. The highlight will be the Summer Tea Party for the community to enjoy tea and homemade cake in the church’s setting.