Vandals have gone on a wrecking spree in a tranquil historic churchyard, smashing up deckchairs used by its cafe customers.
The yobs struck at the medieval Grade I-listed St Peter’s Church in Sandwich, which is now closed for worship but is used as a community hub by the Churches Conservation Trust.
Volunteers run the popular cafe where users can relax with refreshments in deckchairs in the picturesque churchyard.
But on Monday morning, staff were alerted by neighbours that the chairs, which were left out overnight, had been trashed.
“It’s very disheartening because we were only gifted the chairs in April and they were available to everyone to relax in, not just our customers,” said community hub co-ordinator Annemarie Huigen.
“Apparently, a neighbour saw youths vandalising them the previous night and remonstrated with them, but just got a load of abuse back.”
Mrs Huigen says all 10 chairs have been ruined and would be too expensive for the charity to repair.
“The canvas seating has been ripped and most of them have had the back struts broken,” she said.
“I’m afraid we have made the decision not to replace them because the risk is that it will just happen again.”
Mrs Huigen says the chairs were left out after 4pm, when the church closes, so that everyone can continue to relax in the churchyard during the summer evenings.
“The summer is coming to an end soon but maybe we will think about getting some more for next summer, although it will be a pity if we have to bring them in at 4pm,” she said.
The vandalism sparked outrage when shared on a Facebook page for the town.
“Honestly, this is awful,” wrote Louise Bartley. “It’s such a peaceful place to sit.
“I often see some horrible kids riding around on bikes that have awful manners. It makes me wonder what they’re learning off their parents.”
“This is so sad,” added Ruth Moore. “Such a lovely place for so many ruined.”
Earlier this year, the church was targeted by a thief who stole hundreds of pounds from the charity shop and cafe while a volunteer was distracted.
Mrs Huigen said at the time it had left the team “shocked and dismayed”.
“Quite how someone can sink so low as to steal from a church charity shop is very sad,” she said.
