Minehead’s cherished war memorial was vandalized on Friday, October 10, leaving the community deeply saddened and outraged. The monument, dedicated to honoring those who served and sacrificed their lives in war, was defaced with graffiti, an act described by the Minehead Town Council as a “serious affront” to the town’s shared values.
The incident has been reported to Avon and Somerset Police, who are now conducting an investigation. Authorities are appealing to anyone with information to come forward by contacting the police or the town council directly at 01643 707213 or [email protected].
Council staff initially attempted to clean the graffiti using in-house methods, but concerns about potential permanent discoloration due to the sensitive nature of the stone led to a decision to engage professional stonemasons. These specialists will carefully clean all four sides of the memorial to fully restore its dignity and appearance. The cost of this unexpected work will be covered using public funds.
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A spokesperson for Minehead Town Council emphasized, “The War Memorial is a place of remembrance and respect, honoring those who served and sacrificed for our freedoms. This act is a serious affront to our community’s values.” They added, “We are fully committed to restoring the memorial to the high standard it deserves.”