Thieves strip lead from church roof
£60,000 DAMAGE CAUSED... BUT THIEVES MIGHT MAKE £4,000
A “BEAUTIFUL” church has suffered £60,000 damage after thieves stripped four tonnes of lead from its roof in the dead of night.
St John the Baptist Church in Church Street, East Markham, was pillaged by the thieves during the night of Friday, October 5. The Grade I listed 15th-century building had approximately four tonnes of lead stripped from its roof, resulting in water pouring on to furniture.
Tom Fremantle, a member of the church council, said: “We discovered the damage on Saturday morning because it was raining and the water was pouring through the roof.
“My first reaction was of complete shock horror. I went on to the roof to have a look at the damage and just thought ‘oh my goodness.’
“I could see the money building up in my eyes, thousands of pounds. How on earth are we going to get over this?”
Mr Fremantle said an estimate for the roof’s repair was £60,000 but the amount the thieves would be able to fetch for the lead was about £4,000.
An online fundraising page has been set up to help pay for repairs.
Temporary tarpaulin has been set up to the roof to try to prevent further flooding damage.
Mr Fremantle said: “The community response has been incredible. People have really come together to help with fundraising options.
“There’s been a sense of outrage from everyone thinking ‘how can anybody do this?’
“The church has been very much part of my life for 37 years. It’s a wonderful building with a great community – place of peace, solace and joy.
“We would be so grateful if anyone is willing to help.”
Nottinghamshire Police are investigating the theft and appealed for witnesses to call them on 101.
You can donate to the church’s fundraising efforts by visiting the online version of this story at nottinghampost.com