Farnhill Pinnacle has been vandalised – just days after being restored.
A month-long £4,000 restoration project was completed early last week but, within two days, the historic Farnhill Moor monument had been vandalised.
Those responsible used metal posts, which secured safety fencing around the pinnacle, to carve symbols, “LUFC” and “Man Utd” on the surface.
Now the committee behind the restoration project fear they will not be able to repair the damage because of a lack of funds.
Despite grants from North Yorkshire County Council, Craven District Council, Kildwick Parish Meeting, Bradley Parish Council and individual donations, the project was still around £800 short. And now more will be needed to repair the fresh damage.
Keith Midgley, a member of the Farnhill Pinnacle Restoration project, said it was despicable that people would go to such lengths to damage the monument.
“Its absolutely dreadful. They’ve pulled steel stakes out of the ground and carved Leeds United onto the pinnacle. I just can’t believe anyone would do that,” he said.
The pinnacle is sited a mile off the road, but still receives many visitors.
The restoration has been carried out by specialist Kevin Woods who, with the help of a local farmer, spent weeks transporting equipment and materials to the remote spot. He has used a traditional lime-based render to cover the pinnacle instead of a cement-based one.
Fellow project member Mike Scarffe said: “Clearly, the lime takes quite a while to harden and gain strength. It would have been easier to carve into. It can be repaired, but it needs to be done quickly and we do not have the money.
“Kevin Woods, is quite heartbroken. He put so much work into it and was pleased with the way it looked.”
Anyone with information can call Cross Hills police on 0856 6060247. To donate to the restoration, contact Keith Midgley, St Andrew’s Close, Kildwick, or Mike Scarffe, Glendale, Arbour Top, Farnhill.
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