18th April 2012

BEAMINSTER: Lead thieves damage church

By Paul Crompton

THE ancient church in Broadwindsor has been targeted by thieves.

A 48 metre square piece of lead was stolen from the roof of the St John the Baptist Church, which dates back to the 11th century

The village church’s congregation will now have to foot a repair bill believed to run into thousands of pounds.

The lead was taken from the flat roof over the south isle of the listed building between Tuesday, April 3rd and Thursday, April 5th.

Thieves targeted an area directly over the church’s 18th century organ which was discovered to be damaged by rainwater as parishioners prepared to sing hymns on Good Friday.

It is the latest theft from a church in a spate of similar crimes throughout West Dorset in the past three months, which include Powerstock, Thornecombe and Symondsbury.

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them with information on any of the thefts.

Broadwindsor Churchwarden John Kennedy said they were now stepping up security at the church following the theft.

He said: “It’s very sad that there are people around with nothing better to do than rob churches. 

“Churches now have to be run on the basis of getting donations from their congregation and have to be supported by the congregation and if they don’t get supported they close.

“I think people target churches because it’s easy and because they have large areas of lead and are often well concealed, this church it is in a difficult place to see.

“We are now looking at the insurance and problems this has caused. It is the associated problems of taking lead off the roof especially in a building of this age.”

He added that because the building was listed the Diocese of Salisbury had to approve the repairs.

Church organist Anne Ward said she was horrified to discover the damage caused to the organ.

She said: “On Good Friday, the service it wasn’t too bad but on Sunday it was diabolical, it was terrible, an awful noise.

“Just when a nice big Easter congregation was ready to sing the organ was terrible.” 

Police officers in Bridport were advised by a neighbour of the church that several lead tiles were missing from the church roof.

It is also believed that the tiles were stolen, said Police Constable Neil Gauden, of Bridport police.

He said: “I am appealing for anyone with any information regarding this theft to call me, in confidence, as soon as possible.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 5:189. 

PICTURE: A 48 metre square piece of lead was stolen from the roof of the St John the Baptist church

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