Villagers have been left fuming after vandals wrecked an “amazing” remembrance memorial. Locals in Bilsthorpe, Nottinghamshire, had clubbed together to pay for the display, which included moving silhouettes of soldiers with their heads bowed low and crocheted poppies. It had stood proudly on show in the village for five years and was a focal point for Remembrance Day gatherings.
Shocked locals discovered the moving tribute to Britain’s fallen heroes smashed up on Wednesday morning after the overnight attack. Thoughtless thugs had broken the statues, damaged a photo of a veteran and kicked over the poppies.
Glenys Pinnock’s husband, Arthur, made the wooden silhouettes. She told the Newark Advertiser: “It looked absolutely amazing. I’m so annoyed. They’ve literally smashed it all up. I can’t believe what they’ve done.”
A disheartened Mr Pinnock had threatened to take the remains of the display to the local tip, but Mrs Pinnock persuaded him not to. She told the same publication that doing that was admitting the vandals had won and “they’re not going to”.
Mrs Pinnock said she and Mr Pinnock, who is himself an Armed Forces veteran, would take stock then put the display back together again. A GoFundMe page to help pay for the work has already raised over £1,000.
Parish Council chairman, Steve Kemp, told the Express honouring veterans is a big thing in the village and hundreds of villagers attend Bilsthorpe’s Remembrance Day event at the memorial every year.
He said of the vandalism: “From a personal point of view and on behalf of Bilsthorpe Parish Council I can say we are absolutely devastated and disgusted at the complete lack of respect shown to our servicemen and ex-servicemen. It’s an absolute disgrace.
“There’s no respect, that’s how it feels in the village. We want to know who did this and why. It’s just thoughtless. But they won’t beat us. [The memorial] will be back bigger and better.”
Nottinghamshire Police said it is investigating reports of the vandalised memorial in Eakring Road and appealed for witnesses to come forward.
A spokesperson for the force confirmed criminal damage was reported to the police at about 7.50am on Wednesday (October 22).
They said officers believe the vandals struck in the early hours of the morning.
The spokesperson added: “We completely appreciate the upset this incident has caused to the local community and are determined to track down whoever was responsible.”
Anyone with information should call the police on 101, quoting incident 88 of 22 October, or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.