Church’s roof falls down after theft (From Bury Times)

Church’s roof falls down after theft

8:30am Friday 12th March 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share

LEAD stolen from a Radcliffe church caused a roof to collapse.

The theft at Wesley Methodist Church in Ainsworth Road made a section of roof at the meeting room, which adjoins the church, crash down Recent snowfalls are also thought to have aggravated the damage.

The missing lead was only discovered when church officials looked into what had caused damage to the meeting room.

Now, repairs have been carried out in the wake of the incident, which is believed to have taken place some time last month.

The theft has also been reported to police. The Rev Janet Aspey, who has been the minister at the church for the past three and a half years, said: “The lead was taken from the roof of the meeting room, which adjoins the church at the back entrance to the building.

“There was water penetration when around a quarter of the roof came down.

“It was only when we went up onto the roof that we discovered the lead had been taken.

“We have since undertaken remedial works and repairs and also done some internal decoration.” Ms Aspey disclosed that the stolen lead had earlier been treated with special security markings which would identify from where it was stolen.

A police spokesman confirmed they were looking into the theft.

In the past, lead had also been stolen from Radcliffe Parish Church.

A number of churches in neighbouring Bolton have had roofing lead stolen by thieves.

• Print
• Email
• Share