Vandals attack historic church in village near Harborough

The attack was discovered as shocked worshippers turned up to attend the traditional Easter service at the church last Sunday (April 4)
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Vandals have attacked an historic church in a Harborough village.

The offenders destroyed some of the slats in the ornate, much-loved white gates at the Church of England place of worship in Medbourne, near Market Harborough.

The attack was discovered as shocked worshippers turned up to attend the traditional Easter service at the church last Sunday (April 4).

Vandals destroyed some of the slats in the ornate, much-loved white gates at the Church of England place of worship in Medbourne, near Market Harborough.Vandals destroyed some of the slats in the ornate, much-loved white gates at the Church of England place of worship in Medbourne, near Market Harborough.
Vandals destroyed some of the slats in the ornate, much-loved white gates at the Church of England place of worship in Medbourne, near Market Harborough.

The Rev Stephen Bishop, the long-serving rector at the church, said: “This incident is very unusual and it has shocked our congregation as well as the whole of Medbourne.

“I have served here for over 20 years.

“And in all that time we have had just one break-in here and a minor act of vandalism – so this is almost unprecedented.”

He said he discovered the attack as he arrived to conduct the service last Sunday morning.

“I can only think that it was carried out on Saturday night or early on Sunday morning.

“I have no idea why someone did this to our beautiful gates.

“I would only be speculating as to why they have done this,” said Stephen.

“It is very uncommon – which makes it much harder for our congregation to take in a way.

“The incident has saddened our close-knit community as well because there is a wider sense of ownership of your local church.

“They are special places for public and family ceremonies such as baptisms, weddings, funerals and so on.

“So the whole village has been affected by this.

“We have already quickly received offers of help to pay to repair our gates – and that’s very positive and uplifting.

“Local people are already getting behind us,” added Stephen.

“The Easter service revolves around a resounding message of hope, the hope of the resurrection of Jesus, and we will move on from this as we all look forward to better times this spring and summer.”