Holme Cultram Abbey blaze

[Nemesis]

The latest pics...

it really a dreadfully sad sight.

http://www.visitcumbria.com/wc/abbeytown-fire.htm

Evelyn

 

[Sue Wilkinson]

That's very sad. What makes people want to do that? I fear for this country, I must be getting old because my Nan used to say this sort of thing, but a large proportion of the youth of today are very frightening because they have no fear, respect or interest in anything, they have access to drugs and alcohol and little or no education worth having.

Where did we go wrong?

Sue

 

[Nemesis]

Well - not much to do in rural Cumbria. The young man is in custody and I think stupidity allied to petty theft started it. Reading beween the lines - he or someone else (allegedly) was involved with theft of a fiver from a collection box in the vestry, a fire was started, curtains caught alight... I gather he is very contrite, but...

In that part of Cumbria it was a tourist attrction, in an area which needs all the help it can get.

There's a small video of the place before the fire, for those with Broadband, which made me weep.

Donations are welcome... via the PCC.

(I've edited the post and hope that it doesn't breach libel or contempt of court laws...)

 

[biffvernon]

but a large proportion of the youth of today

I think it is probably a very small proportion of the youth of today - but they have a disproportionate impact.

 

[Nemesis]

I agree - many are fine young people and I know a number who are actively involved with conservation!

It's really a minority, but as Biff says - they can do a very disproportionate amount of damage.

I defy anyone to watch that little video clip (bottom of the pics) and listen to the organ and not feel devastated at the loss of our heritage.

 

[Sue Wilkinson]

Try a day out in Daventry or Coventry, either of those places (one local to me the other my place of birth) will make you wonder about the percentage of trouble makers.

Daventry suffers from being a more or less rural town with nothing to do in it and a rapidly expanding housing glut (thanks to John Prescot) so the number of useless and relatively stupid youths found trashing the place is quite high. Fortunately the crime is mostly annoying rather than violent. Not many deaths, or much arson, although a few.

I watched the video clip. It is very sad and sorry. I felt most for the organist. An elderly man, who has played that organ several times a week for 30 years. He must feel such grief. An instrument is a part of your life if you play regularly and he must wonder where and when he'll get another chance.

Sue

 

[Nemesis]

The day of the fire I was in Carlisle and saw the news hoardings - I knew instantly where it was, before I bought the paper.

The sense of shock and outrage is very real in the area.

That was a wonderful organ, and I doubt another can replace it. It remains to be seen when and if the insurance will pay out. You cannot replace history - and all the parish records are gone also.

 

[Nemesis]

Update:

http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=432319


Hmmmm.