I have some Aunts buried in Bethesda.
We had people stealing plaques off of graves here.
I hope they catch the ones responsible for vandalizing the graves.
Catherine
French Creek, BC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Martin Briscoe" <mbriscoe(a)mbriscoe.me.uk>
To: <wls-gwynedd(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 8:59 AM
Subject: [GWYNEDD] Anger after 20 graves vandalised
On the BBC News pages
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/8123904.stm
Anger after 20 graves vandalised
Page last updated at 14:22 GMT, Monday, 29 June 2009 15:22 UK
Families and community leaders have reacted angrily after up to 20 graves
were vandalised at a cemetery.
Visitors to Bethesda chapel cemetery in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, said
they were sickened by the sight of the damage on Saturday morning.
It is the third time some graves have been attacked, and an urgent meeting
is being called between the local councils and police to prevent a
recurrence.
Police are investigating and are appealing for witnesses.
The council-owned cemetery is one of two in the town.
Town councillor Arthur Holland Williams said his heart went out to those
who
had been affected.
If I could get hold of whoever's done it, God help them
Katherine Jones, whose parents' grave was damaged
"People here are heartbroken and there's a feeling of bitterness that
someone could do this," he said.
"Graves have not only been smashed, but thrown over the wall, it's heart
wrenching," he added.
Mr Williams said he had spoken to a mother whose two young sons are buried
at the cemetery.
"A marble heart on the grave had been smashed, and the mother is so sad.
"People are demanding that something is done," he added.
The grave of Katherine Jones's parents was one of those damaged.
"It's the third time for it to be smashed," she said.
"My father loved horses so we had a gravestone with a horse on it," she
said.
"The first time the horse was smashed, so we had another one made, the
second time the horse's leg was damaged, and again we had it redone, but
this time it's completely gone.
"If I could get hold of whoever's done it, God help them," she added.
Gwynedd county councillor Gwilym Euros Roberts said on his blog that the
sight that greeted him was "heartbreaking and utterly disgraceful".
"I have nothing but utter contempt for the scum that have caused such
mindless damage and terrible heartache to the grieving families," he
added.
A spokeswoman for North Wales Police said there were thousands of pounds
worth of damage.
"Gravestones and statues on over 20 graves had been damaged, and flowers
and
memorial vases had been strewn around the cemetery.
"Inquiries are underway and house to house inquiries have also been
conducted," she added.
A Gwynedd council spokesperson said: "As a council, we are very
disappointed
by this incident and send our condolences to the families effected.
"We will now be arranging a meeting on site with local councillors, town
council representatives and North Wales Police, so that we can consider
what
additional safety measures can be introduced at the cemetery."
Martin Briscoe
Fort William
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