This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7416352.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Historic church windows smashed | Historic church windows smashed |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Two historic stained glass windows worth thousands of pounds have been smashed by vandals at a church in West Lothian. | Two historic stained glass windows worth thousands of pounds have been smashed by vandals at a church in West Lothian. |
| More than 80 panes of glass at St Michael's Parish Church were smashed in two attacks by youths with rocks. | More than 80 panes of glass at St Michael's Parish Church were smashed in two attacks by youths with rocks. |
| The incidents happened between 1700 BST on Wednesday and 1245 BST on Thursday. | The incidents happened between 1700 BST on Wednesday and 1245 BST on Thursday. |
| The church's minister, Dr Stewart Gillan, told BBC Scotland he was "angry and distraught" by the damage to the windows. | The church's minister, Dr Stewart Gillan, told BBC Scotland he was "angry and distraught" by the damage to the windows. |
| One damaged window depicts a scene dedicated to Scottish oceanographer Sir Charles Wyville Thomson, who was born in West Lothian in 1830. | One damaged window depicts a scene dedicated to Scottish oceanographer Sir Charles Wyville Thomson, who was born in West Lothian in 1830. |
| A window at the Queen's aisle of the church depicting St Bridget, the Celtic saint, was also targeted as panes of glass next to images of King David I and James IV were broken. | |
| It's not just about religion, it's about symbols of Scotland's culture Dr Stewart GillanSt Michael's Parish Church | It's not just about religion, it's about symbols of Scotland's culture Dr Stewart GillanSt Michael's Parish Church |
| A group of flower arrangers in the church saw and chased some youths during the second attack, but failed to catch them. | A group of flower arrangers in the church saw and chased some youths during the second attack, but failed to catch them. |
| Dr Gillan said: "I am very angry and I felt violated when I saw the damage. | Dr Gillan said: "I am very angry and I felt violated when I saw the damage. |
| "It vexes me because these teenagers are destroying our own heritage. It's not just about religion, it's about symbols of Scotland's culture. | "It vexes me because these teenagers are destroying our own heritage. It's not just about religion, it's about symbols of Scotland's culture. |
| "These kids need instruction about what to value, they are hitting at themselves." | "These kids need instruction about what to value, they are hitting at themselves." |
| Insp Hugh Murphy, of Lothian and Borders Police, urged witnesses to come forward. | Insp Hugh Murphy, of Lothian and Borders Police, urged witnesses to come forward. |
| He said: "This is mindless vandalism not only to a place of worship but to an historic tourist site. | He said: "This is mindless vandalism not only to a place of worship but to an historic tourist site. |
| "It is a local haunt in the lighter nights so it probably is local teenagers who have caused this damage." | "It is a local haunt in the lighter nights so it probably is local teenagers who have caused this damage." |