Church theft vicar's 'heads on poles' plan
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A Romney Marsh vicar says he might
put polystyrene heads outside one of his churches after his words
brought him unexpected national fame.
The Rev Jim Field is well known on
the marsh as he has no fewer than eight parishes at his disposal,
from New Romney, through Old Romney to Ivychurch.
St George’s church in Ivychurch in
particular suffered terribly at the hands of thieves last month
when more than £20,000 of lead was taken from the roof. It had
taken parishioners many years to raise the money for the roof after
its lead was previously taken ten years ago.
In response Mr Field reckoned he
felt like taking the thieves heads off.
When the Kentish Express spoke to
him this week a slightly more considered Rev Field was gearing up
for the inevitable fund-raising needed to mend the roof.
St George’s is sometimes called the
Cathedral of the Marsh - as is Lydd - but whatever its status it is
certainly very large for the size of village and congregation.
There are usually eight people on a Sunday.
Such has been the huge number of
lead thefts in past years from churches across the country, most
insurers do not pay out the full cost. In all cases, the damage
costs much more than the scrap metal value.
Mr Field said: "The payouts are
capped at something like £5,000. The fact that there is £20,000
means that the church has lost £15,000 straight away.
"When you have a small parish like
Ivychruch on the marsh they have got to fund-raise. The tragedy is
that 10 years ago they lost some lead and it took them eight years
to find the money and it has all gone. I feel so sick for those
people. I am absolutely broken hearted.
"I was so angry I said I wanted to
put their heads on poles. That was how I felt, not what I wanted to
do. They wouldn’t be able to pay the £20,000 even if they were
caught.
"When I see a child killed by a
drunk driver and I have to do the funeral, I feel angry but as a
Christian, I don’t go and shoot them. When I get home from funerals
like that I cry. When I see £20,000 go from a community’s pride and
joy I feel angry too."
The trouble is that church’s are
vulnerable by their nature, even though the days of all churches
being open have gone.
Mr Field said: "Our alarm went off
at New Romney at 4.30am high on the roof this week. It is linked to
our homes and when someone got there a truck pulled away so we were
fortunate there.
"What we now have to ask is what
would be the point in us putting it back? I’m looking to put back
something that would be less attractive to thieves.
"These people are on the margins of
society. If you think what they could do with £20,000 in the
community..."
And he added: "I’m thinking about
buying some polystyrene heads and putting them on poles outside the
church for the craic."
Friday, June 26 2009
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