Easter Cross desecrated by vandals (From Stroud News and Journal)

Easter Cross desecrated by vandals

THE annual Easter celebration by Christians in the Five Valleys was ruined when vandals turned the crucifix on Selsley Common into a hangman's gallows.

The three metre wooden cross, which traditionally heads a procession through the Five Valleys on Good Friday, is usually left on the common for forty days until Ascension Day.

But it was removed on Saturday morning after it had been altered into a hangman's gibbet overnight.

Graham Stanley, of the St Matthew's congregation, said: "We did the usual Good Friday procession up Selsley Hill and onto the common, and put the cross in place.

"Because it has previously been cut down we made it fairly secure. We came down and had hot cross buns.

"I woke up the next morning to hear from a chap walking his dog that the cross had been modified into a hangman's gibbet."

Mr Stanely said the preparation that had gone into the attack suggested it was carefully planned, rather than being a random act.

The two arms of the cross appear to have been chopped off with a power saw and the clean cut suggests the involvement of at least two people, as someone would be needed to support the heavy structure during this time-consuming operation.

Mr Stanley said: "Obviously it is upsetting.

"The cross is there as a symbol of Easter and you have to wonder who is feeling so threatened by the message of Easter."

Christians, however, remain undeterred and intend to continue their Easter celebrations as usual next year, complete with the erection of the cross on Selsley common.

Revd David Sutch, who leads the congregation at St Matthew's and Cainscross, said he would appreciate it if the perpetrator would "have the decency to explain their reasons less anonymously."

John Hagger, church warden at St Matthew's, said: "We don't understand why. What are they trying to say by converting the cross to a gallows? It would be nice to know."