Patrick, Lily and Liana carved into protected Vale of Glamorgan monument as authorities warn of rising vandalism at ancient sites
Historic stepping stones dating back to medieval times have been deliberately defaced with three names carved deep into the ancient slabs, sparking outrage in a Welsh village community and prompting a heritage crime investigation.
The names Patrick, Lily and Liana have been etched into three of the 41 medieval stones that span the Ewenny River in the Vale of Glamorgan, damaging monuments that hold protected status as being “of national importance” to Wales’s heritage.
South Wales Police are treating the incident as a heritage crime and are working alongside Cadw, Wales’s historic environment service, to investigate what authorities believe was a carefully planned act of vandalism rather than spontaneous damage.
The defacement has shocked residents of the local community, with many drawing parallels to the destruction of Northumberland’s famous Sycamore Gap tree, which was illegally felled in September 2023 in what became one of Britain’s most notorious acts of heritage vandalism.
Local resident Erica Staple described the vandalism as “mindless and unacceptable”, expressing the deep hurt felt by the village community. This is an absolutely beautiful place,” she told the BBC. “The whole village is upset by it. They’ve been there for hundreds of years and they’ve been defaced.”
When her daughter enquired about restoration possibilities, Ms Staple explained that “there’s nothing we can really do” about the damage. She expressed particular worry that the three carved names might encourage copycat vandalism, with others potentially adding their own marks to the historic crossing.
“We’ve got to treasure what we’ve got,” Ms Staple said, noting that despite the names being clearly visible on the stones, the community had “no idea” who was responsible for the deliberate damage.
The stepping stones, which sit near the 12th-century Ogmore Castle, represent a remarkably intact example of medieval infrastructure. According to their official monument listing by Cadw, the stones date back to medieval times, though they underwent modifications in later periods. The crossing maintains substantial archaeological value as an uncommon survival of such historical transport infrastructure.
Heritage experts recognise the stones’ national significance due to their potential for revealing crucial insights into historical transport networks in medieval Wales. The official listing states that the monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance knowledge of early transport systems in the region.
Experts believe associated archaeological features and deposits likely exist at the site, making any damage particularly concerning from a research perspective. The stones’ importance is further enhanced by their proximity to Ogmore Castle, creating a connected heritage landscape that tells the story of medieval life in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The vandalism comes amid warnings from heritage authorities that criminal damage to protected buildings and monuments has increased significantly across Wales. Cadw officials report that this year could potentially record the highest number of vandalism incidents at ancient Welsh sites, though heritage crimes remain largely unreported despite their growing frequency.
The organisation has urged witnesses to report any suspicious activity at historic locations, emphasising that damaging or destroying scheduled monuments constitutes a criminal offence. Using metal detectors at protected sites without proper authorisation is also illegal under heritage protection laws.
The incident forms part of a worrying trend of heritage vandalism across Britain. Since the beginning of 2024, Cadw custodians at several sites have had to report incidents of criminal damage to police, which have in some cases resulted in sites being partially closed to the public and requiring expensive repairs.
Blaenavon Ironworks’ Cast House was recently closed to the public after an AV display was vandalised and bricks were thrown from the top of a tower. Anti-social behaviour at Caerleon’s Amphitheatre and Barracks has included incidents of graffiti, with the heat from BBQs damaging Roman brickwork and even a burnt-out motorbike left at the site, requiring emergency masonry repairs.
The comparison with the Sycamore Gap tree destruction resonates particularly strongly with heritage advocates. The famous tree, which stood for nearly 150 years next to Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, was illegally felled in September 2023, triggering nationwide outrage. Two men, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, were subsequently sentenced to four years and three months in prison for the vandalism.
The Sycamore Gap incident demonstrated the deep emotional connection communities have with their heritage landmarks. The tree had been voted England’s Tree of the Year in 2016 and featured prominently in the 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves”, becoming an emblem for the North East of England.
The Vale of Glamorgan stepping stones hold similar cultural significance for their local community. The area has been inhabited since Roman times, when the Silures occupied the region before the Roman conquest around 75 CE. The Romans built roads throughout the region to link their fortifications, establishing crucial transport networks that would influence medieval development.
During medieval times, the Vale of Glamorgan formed part of the Lordship of Glamorgan, with the Normans building substantial fortifications at locations including nearby Ogmore Castle. The stepping stones would have provided a vital crossing point for medieval travellers, traders, and local communities navigating the Ewenny River.
The rectangular layout of nearby Cowbridge, together with Roman coin discoveries, suggests continuous occupation and use of transport routes in the area from Roman through medieval times. The stepping stones represent a tangible link to this layered history of human movement and settlement in the Vale.
Village residents have taken to social media calling for those responsible for the vandalism to surrender themselves to authorities. The community’s response reflects the broader concern about protecting Wales’s irreplaceable heritage for future generations.
A Cadw spokesperson emphasised the seriousness of heritage crimes: “Heritage crime is more than vandalism – it’s a loss of our history. But reporting it can help protect Wales’s past for future generations so I would urge the public to be watchful.”
The organisation stressed that heritage crime refers to any illegal activity that harms historic assets, including theft of historic materials such as lead from church roofs, deliberate damage through graffiti or vandalism, and anti-social behaviour such as littering, out-of-hours access, or climbing on walls.
South Wales Police have urged anyone with information about the vandalism to come forward as part of their investigation. The force is working closely with Cadw to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of Britain’s unguarded heritage sites to deliberate damage. Unlike museums or enclosed monuments, many of Wales’s most significant historical features remain accessible to the public, relying on respect and community vigilance for their protection.
Heritage experts warn that once damaged, medieval monuments like the stepping stones cannot be properly restored without compromising their authenticity and archaeological value. The carved names represent permanent scarring of surfaces that have survived centuries of weather and use.
The damage to the stepping stones serves as a stark reminder of the need for increased awareness about heritage protection. With criminal damage to ancient sites potentially at record levels, authorities are calling for greater public engagement in monitoring and reporting suspicious activity at historical locations.
For the Vale of Glamorgan community, the defacement of their medieval crossing represents not just damage to stone, but an assault on centuries of shared history. As investigations continue, residents hope that those responsible will be identified and held accountable for what many see as an unforgivable act against Wales’s cultural heritage.
The stepping stones will continue to serve their ancient purpose of helping people cross the Ewenny River, but they now bear the unwanted addition of three modern names – a permanent reminder of one thoughtless act against monuments that have stood for hundreds of years.
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