THE little parish church in Lydbrook has just spent £1,000-plus on restoring a stained glass window – only to have it fall victim to an airgun vandal.
Churchwardens have reported that other windows in the church have also been attacked, while outside lights at the Vicarage – currently unoccupied – have been smashed.
Now the churchwardens and congregation members fear that the damage will continue unless police take urgent action.
Godfrey Goode, who helps to look after the church and vicarage with fellow warden Ken Bird, said: "I was tidying up and went behind the altar and I noticed little bits of coloured glass on the floor. Then I found the pellet, and saw that the window had been hit.
"It isn't a very big hole but other windows have been hit, too. And at the vicarage they've shot two outside security lights, breaking them completely.
"It comes just on top of a break-in at the Vicarage, where thieves went through the vicar's study."
Both men said it would help if the Vicarage was occupied – Lydbrook has been without a clergyman since the last vicar left some eighteen months ago. The church nevertheless attracts a regular congregation with visiting church leaders.
"We still have two services every Sunday," said Ken Bird.
He added that he had told the police of the incidents and they had said they would keep an eye on things.
"It would be better if they took some action now. I don't think it would be very hard to find out who has done it," said Mr Bird.