The Skidbrooke community in Lincolnshire has voiced their dismay following the discovery of human remains during safety works at the historic St Botolph’s Church. The church, dating back to the 13th century and having been closed since the 1970s, often attracts ghost hunters and is frequently targeted by vandals. The Churches Conservation Trust decided to install a new security fence after part of the nave had unfortunately partially collapsed, in a bid to prevent further trespassing incidents. Yet, the local parish council chairman, Guy Williams, has expressed criticism for this method, suggesting that the drilling for fence posts has inflicted ‘permanent damage to an ancient monument site’. Another local resident, Ben Warsap, who has had generations of his family buried at the church, was particularly upset upon discovering human remains during the works, describing his reaction as ‘angry’. The trust justified their decision to install the fence, indicating that the site required a stronger barrier for protection due to its frequent attacks owing to its reputation for paranormal activity. Despite the trust’s assertions, the local community maintains that the fence is not just inadequate but could also be considered as an act of vandalism in its own right.
This story originally appeared on www.bbc.com and has been adapted for The Lincoln Post.
