'Irreplaceable' angel glass at Guildford Cathedral vandalised
The cathedral are fundraising to repair the damage
Guildford Cathedral are speaking out, saying vandals have caused considerable damage to their 'irreplaceable' glass panes.
The police were called to the cathedral in the early hours of Friday (12 January) after vandals smashed one of the glass panels and an investigation is underway.
The damaged window panel is part of a set of angels engraved by glass artist John Hutton, who passed away in 1978.
In a post on Facebook, staff say its an iconic feature of the Cathedral and an acclaimed piece of 20th-century art.
The Cathedral's Chief Operating Officer Matt O'Grady tells us:
"We can get the panel repaired, but it will never be the same - it will be a copy of a unique piece of artwork that has been senselessly destroyed.
"We're very upset that the cathedral which is supposed to be a haven of peace, reflection and spirituality has been targeted in this way and that an irreplaceable piece of art has been lost forever.
"We can't understand why anyone would want to target us.
"We will be starting a fundraising campaign.
"We are insured and have gone to our insurers and have told them about the damage and we will recoup a large amount from the insurers- but this is a significant excess that we will have to pay.
"So we are asking people if they would be very, very kind and help us."
Donations to the cathedral's fundraiser can be made through this link.