Someone burned the church down.
St Veyan’s was originally built in the 12th century. It was damaged and subsequently repaired in 1549 following a riot that was nominally protesting the introduction of the Book of Common Prayer.
It functioned as the ceremonial heart of Greigbury for the next few centuries. It was deconsecrated in 1876 following the arrest of Peter Dinsburg the previous year and the extent of his crimes was uncovered. The building served as a meeting place, a shelter and sometime storehouse until the present day.
A week ago, someone deliberately set fire to it and burnt most of it to the ground. The remaining ruins have been deemed unsafe and will be demolished in the next few months. Fortunately, no people were hurt in the incident.
I think it is a tragedy for the town. A part of our history is gone. Killed by wanton idiocy. It is currently a wound that will be slow to heal.
It is not a major incident, I know. Just one of the many minor catastrophes that occur every day, but one that I thought I should note. The investigation will, I hope, produce those that are responsible and end with their appropriate punishment.