Thieves steal ancient hedge stones

A NUMBER of “medieval” hedge stones have been stolen from an area of outstanding natural beauty in Cornwall.

The stones, which were located close to Rosemergy Farm in Morvah near Penzance, are believed to have been taken overnight between Friday and Saturday last weekend.

Residents have told of their shock and there are fears that part of the ancient hedge will never be the same. Chris Holmes, from Morvah, said: “We noticed a substantial amount of stones have been removed recently from a length of ancient hedge adjacent to the B3306 outside Rosemergy Farm. The hedgerows in this area are thousands of years old.

“These old man-made structures are still being used for their original purpose. What’s most annoying is that, although the material value of these hedge stones is minimal, the historical value is priceless.”

Nick Taylor, Penwith hedges officer for Penwith Landscape Partnership, said the incident will damage the historic landscape.

He said: “These hedges are probably medieval. You can tell the stones have been here hundreds of years by the lichen growth and the vegetation.

“The thing that’s so sad, apart from it obviously being illegal, is that the stones are iconic features in the Penwith landscape. To take stones like this damages them and damages the landscape.”

“It looks to me like these stones have been taken away deliberately. This structure has actually been put together with real skill and these stones are solid.”