Vandals strike historic church site

Campaigners fighting to save a Grade II listed 15th Century church tower say they are to step up security after the graveyard was vandalised.

Hertfordshire Police said holes were dug in the ground of Thundridge Old Church of St Mary and All Saints, near Ware, on 16 August.

Officers have released CCTV footage showing a group of men in the area with what appeared to be metal detectors behind them.

Dave Blowers, chairman of Thundridge Old Church Action Group (TOCAG), said: "Every act of vandalism takes time and money to deal with and collectively makes our vision less likely to succeed."

The action group is raising money to improve security and carry out repairs.

"This time, people were disturbed by other visitors before doing anything significant. Next time, we may not be so lucky," Blowers said.

The site is a scheduled monument, and it is illegal to use metal detectors or disturb the ground.

The church received a grant of more than £70,000 last year to restore its 15th Century tower.

Blowers said research had uncovered 1,000 years of "remarkable history, including medieval monks, Tudor lords, tumultuous women, abolitionists, pilgrims, international diplomats, philanthropists and many more".

The site is the burial place of the Reverend William Hughes, a fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, who was involved in the abolition of the slave trade.

The site is also believed by some to be haunted.

TOCAG wants to take over the management of the site and bring it back to life as a community asset.

Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.