Community steps up after cemetery 'vandalism' near Glasgow

Glasgow Times

3 days ago

Around 40 headstones were damaged, some of which were destroyed, and a large crucifix was set on fire during the incident at St Conval's in Glasgow Road, Barrhead, last weekend.
The damage at St Conval's (Image: Newsquest) Mum Audrey Cameron told of her upset at discovering that a heart-shaped flower wreath on her son James Borland's grave had been split down the middle, and a light had been broken.
Twenty-five-year-old James, who was from South Nitshill and passed away in February 2024, was an organ donor who saved multiple lives.
The damaged wreath, left, and James Borland's headstone, right, featuring his St John's Award for organ donation (Image: Sourced) Audrey, 58, said: 'I was really upset because that was James' first anniversary wreath that a girl in my work made for him.
'The other thing that was away was a wee memorial from my grandson that said uncle on it. That will be a wee bit upsetting for him to know it's not there.
'Thank God his headstone was not touched because James gave his organs and George Rooney at the cemetery kindly put his award on his headstone.
'We met the man three weeks ago who got my son's heart. James saved four lives, so I would have been really upset if they had touched his headstone.'
Barrhead resident Carrie McClure, who does not have any loved ones in the cemetery, but was left heartbroken by the damage, was among those who headed up to St Conval's this week to help tidy up.
She was joined by women from her walking group, as well as her 12-year-old daughter and her friends who were also keen to assist.
The 37-year-old mum said: 'We went up on Tuesday. The big crucifix was hard to see. It was all burnt. It was horrible.
'I've never seen so many fresh flowers in that cemetery. It was as if everybody had been up to check on their loved ones' graves.
'We tidied up some graves, even some older ones that hadn't been tended to.
'I had a few messages from people as well who couldn't get up to check their graves, so we checked if they were alright.
'It was sad to see (the damage) but obviously everybody's pulled together and gone up over the past few days so it's been a whole big community thing.'
The damage at St Conval's (Image: Sourced) A businessman has also offered to repair headstones free of charge.
Chris McColl, who runs Forget Me Not Memorials, in Dumbarton, has already repaired a headstone that came down in the children's section.
Rogers Builders Merchants in Alexandria have told Mr McColl they will supply the materials needed to carry out further work.
He said: 'It's so expensive to die (with) the cost of funerals. I see it first hand in my business.
'Families are coming in and money's so tight just now and they've already gone through all that and to then go right, I need to pay four, five, six hundred pounds to get a headstone repaired.
'Some families just haven't got the money, so I thought 'what can I do to help?'.
'Even if it takes me a couple of days and I'm just doing some voluntary work then so be it. It's about paying back and helping out."
Chris McColl runs Forget Me Not Memorials (Image: Sourced) After sharing his offer on social media, he has also been inundated with phone calls from those worried about their headstones and asking for help to have them checked.
'One of the families who got in contact with us, their headstone was completely smashed," he added.
"It's actually beyond repair, so I've decided just to give them a headstone free of charge.'
Following the incident, a 39-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with alleged acts of vandalism and fire-raising at the cemetery.
It is understood he appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court on Monday, June 30.
The Diocese of Paisley has established a fund to provide repairs to the gravestones and has announced it will contribute an initial sum of £15,000 to formally launch the appeal.
All money donated will be distributed to the affected families and used to refurbish the damaged crucifix.
Barrhead resident Lynne Williams, who started a gofundme page, prior to the Diocese's appeal thanked people for their generosity.
"I would kindly ask that anyone else who wishes to donate does so via the Diocese's page," she added.
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