Shrewsbury's landmark 'Scrooge's Gravestone' smashed to pieces in mindless attack

The gravestone, which has been in St Chad's Graveyard in Shrewsbury since it was created for the legendary 1984 film, A Christmas Carol, has been smashed into several pieces.

The damage was discovered by the Shrewsbury Rangers during a patrol at around midday on Sunday.

Shrewsbury Town Council's clerk, Helen Ball, who shared pictures of the damage on social media, said it had taken place between 6pm on Saturday and midday on Sunday.

People have reacted with outrage, upset and devastation at the mindless destruction of one of the town's major landmarks.

The gravestone is a source of quirky pride and fascination, providing an unusual visitor attraction, and a link to the town's selection as the location for the classic Christmas tale.

Police are investigating the incident.

Mrs Ball said: "Everyone has those kind of memories of going to see it. It is like a pilgrimage at this time of year, visitors come to the town to see it, and now some moron has decided they are going to smash it up because it is a bit of fun for them.

"Words fail me, it is about our modern history and the fact we were all really proud that an international film was filmed in this town but also, it is a burial ground and how disrespectful is that."

Mrs Ball said a number of stone masons had already been in contact about potentially repairing the stone, while in an even more upsetting development she said that the daughter of the man who created the stone in 1984 had been in touch to say he was "devastated" by what had happened.

Responding to the picture of the damaged stone on social media, one woman said: "What vile people I really hope they get caught, that’s disgusting."

Another added: "What kind of sick minds were behind this? What is going on... it's been there for 40 years. Absolutely disgusted."

Other comments included, "this is truly disgusting. I’m utterly appalled. We love visiting Scrooge’s gravestone every Christmas. I hope they find who did this mindless vandalism!!", and "disgusting. It’s a part of Shrewsbury's history after the lovely film was made here and it is a grave too. No respect." 

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Shrewsbury Police via the non-emergency number 101, with the crime number 22/102539/24.