Brent Knoll’s Easter crosses will be repaired and replaced in time for next Easter despite being vandalised at the weekend in an attack that left local residents ‘sickened’.
A group of vandals damaged and pulled down the three crosses on top of Brent Knoll late on Friday night, as we reported here over the weekend.
Burnham’s MP James Heappey wrote on social media in response to our story: “Who on earth does this sort of thing? It’s just so spiteful.”
Rev Simon Lewis, who helps to organise the Easter crosses, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I’m very sad and disappointed this has happened – why anyone would do this for no reason is beyond me. The crosses are there for a particular message. Does it reflect their attitude to faith or did they see it as ‘fun’?”
He vowed: “We will find some funding to ensure the crosses get repaired and go back up on the Knoll next Easter – they will continue.”
Colin Burt, one of the organisers of the Easter display, told Burnham-On-Sea.com at the weekend: “We are sickened and very angry – it’s shameful. The crosses are there for a special reason at this time of the year and they should be respected.”
“We were due to take the crosses down on Sunday but instead a walker found the crosses had been lifted out and pushed over on Saturday.”
“All three have been damaged, several lifting ropes have been stolen and the metal supporting poles have also been removed too.”
“We have reported the matter to the Police and I would urge anyone who saw anyone suspicious in this area to get in contact with the Police on 101.”
The three crosses are a familiar sight and have been installed on the Knoll each Easter for several decades.
Thousands of motorists travelling along the M5 motorway each day see the crosses on the eastern side of the Knoll, where they are visible over the holiday period at this time of the year.
Pictured: The three Brent Knoll Easter crosses were unveiled in a hill-top service on Palm Sunday pictured above, but have been damaged as below
