Anger as Stone Wall Thieves Threaten Centuries of Welsh History

Anglesey: It’s a real shame what’s happening to the ancient stone walls around here. Thieves are taking them apart, and it’s not just a few stones; it’s a big deal for our history. An expert mentioned that this kind of theft is happening more often than we realize.

Local stone masons are trying to fight back. Some are even marking the walls with paint to deter thieves. Desmond Gahan, a mason from Anglesey, shared a story about a customer who lost a whole section of a wall. Can you believe that? Five meters gone just like that!

These stone walls are more than just rocks; they have a rich history. They were built to keep livestock in and date back thousands of years. Rural historians say they’re just as important as the buildings and roads we see today. Plus, they provide homes for wildlife, which is pretty cool.

Sean Adcock, a master waller from Gwynedd, knows this problem all too well. He’s seen coping stones disappear over the years. He even mentioned a landowner who marked his stones with dots to keep track of them. It’s crazy how people don’t realize these walls belong to someone.

The issue really blew up when a photo of a damaged wall between Holyhead and Trearddur went viral. People were outraged, calling the thieves “mindless thugs.” One commenter joked that the stones probably ended up in someone’s garden rockery. It’s sad to think that stolen stones might be sold online.

Desmond, who used to be Wales’ Strongest Man, pointed out that all the tourists passing by will see this mess. It’s heartbreaking for landowners and ruins the beauty of the countryside, which could hurt tourism in Anglesey.

He also mentioned how making those coping stones takes hours of work. Thieves usually go for those because they look nicer. It’s tough to keep an eye on a wall all the time, so some masons are trying tricks like chiseling fake cracks to make them less appealing.

There’s no official count of how many stones are stolen, but Heritage England has noticed a rise in crimes against historic sites. Churches and other landmarks are often targeted, and it’s costing a lot to repair the damage.

Sean, who used to be with the Dry Stone Walling Association, said many people think wall theft is a victimless crime. But these walls are part of our heritage, and someone has to maintain them. It’s frustrating that some folks see a derelict wall and think it’s fair game.

If you want to know more, you can reach out to Desmond Gahan at Môn Masonry. It’s important we protect our history!