Specialist conservation work at Haverfordwest Priory in Pembrokeshire has been wrecked in a matter of hours. Cadw is now asking people to watch out for heritage crime at historic sites across Wales over half-term.
What happened at the priory
Over the past 12 months, Cadw’s own specially trained stonemasons and contractors have carried out a major programme of masonry repairs at the site. The aim was to secure the priory’s future and make it a better, safer place for visitors and the local community.
That work was destroyed within hours.
Fleur Gordon, Head of Properties in Care at Cadw, said:
“It is with a heavy heart that we have seen significant antisocial behaviour and vandalism at Haverfordwest Priory. Effectively, a year’s work within the cloisters has been affected and specialist conservation undone in what appears to have been a concerted and determined act, rather than a careless accident.”
The cost
Cadw is still working out the full financial impact. The recent works cost just under £50,000, and much of that work has now been lost.
The damage has also hit the people behind the project hard. The masons who did the work and the volunteers who gave their time, including a long-serving volunteer gardener, have been left disheartened.
Why heritage crime matters
Cadw says crimes against historic sites do much more than damage old stonework. They erode history, discourage the volunteers and professionals who look after these places, and take money away from other conservation projects and from work to open up heritage to more people.
As well as vandalism, heritage crime can include:
- Arson
- Theft
- Graffiti
- Removing or rearranging archaeological material
- Unauthorised works
- Illegal metal detecting
- Off-roading
The appeal
Cadw is asking anyone who sees vandalism, anti-social behaviour or other heritage crime at a historic site over half-term to report it.
She added:
“It is frustrating to see such mindless vandalism. Cadw spends much time, effort and money rebuilding beloved historic buildings, especially so for our next generations who’ll be visiting sites this half-term. This is a crime – I really would urge that anyone who sees such instances happening to report it to the Police.”
