Sponsored by
Fury over crib ‘desecration’
Smashed: Longridges Christmas crib was vandalised, with figures removed and smashed, on Sunday night
A precious symbol of Christmas in Longridge has been smashed after almost 30 years of being the focus of the town’s faith for the festive season.
The crib, set up by Churches Together in Longridge, was attacked during the early hours of Sunday, the toughened front glass panel being shattered and two of the holy family figures taken.
The figure of Joseph was discovered in pieces strewn on Booths car park, but that of the infant Jesus has not been recovered.
Church leaders in the town have described the actions as wicked and almost a desecration after so many years of the crib illustrating a major part of the Christmas story.
Longridge vicar the Rev David Anderson, whose wife, Claire, and son, Thomas, first noticed the vandalism, said: “It is really sad, not just that the crib was smashed but that they took the statues of the baby Jesus and Joseph and smashed the one of Joseph to bits.
“I am sure many people, including those who are not Christians, will find this upsetting. I do hope that people feel that we should still be able to have a crib up in our community.”
The crib was first set up in 1985 and the figures of the holy family and the animals had belonged to a former Mayor of Longridge, Miss Agnes Melling, who had displayed them in the garden of her Derby Road home.
After her death, it is believed they were given to St Wilfrid’s RC Church and then became part of the Churches Together Christmas display. For 27 years that crib has been put up and taken down with no vandalism until now.
St Wilfrid’s parish priest Father David Chinnery, who has just concluded his term as Churches Together chairman, said he had been most upset at the “terrible news”.
“I took the Blessing the Crib service on December 6 and was so shocked that someone could do that, specially in such a close knit community as Longridge,” he said.
“It’s wicked what they have done, but I don’t think it should stop us putting up the crib again.”
The crib, which is to be taken down today (Wednesday) was boarded up after the incident by John Spencer, from Christ Church. He said: “Such a desecration is very sad, as the crib is so much a part of Christmas in the town. It’s particularly sad as crime in Longridge is not great as say in Preston centre, and to do this to the crib can only be described as mindless vandalism.”
The police used the same description – mindless vandalism – after they were informed of the incident. Sgt Peter Moore said that the crib had been intact at 11.30pm on Saturday and the destruction must have taken took place during the hours of darkness or early on Sunday morning.
They are checking town, business and private CTV footage and ask that anyone with any information, or knowledge of anyone involved, to contact them on 101.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Longridge
Thursday 20 June 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 13 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
