Frustration over Ludlow charity board vandals

Ian Hughes, who runs Sweet News on Corve Street in Ludlow said he cannot afford to replace the glass on the notice board that hangs on the wall at the side of the shop, on the path that runs to Ludlow Museum and Resource Centre behind.

The act of vandalism was all the more upsetting because the board was purely for the community, he said.

The smash happened some time between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning.

Mr Hughes said: "Someone overnight has come along and smashed it.

"I suppose it could have been an accident, but then you would think they would have let us know."

"I think it's more likely someone has just struck out at it – maybe they had an argument with their mate or their team lost, I don't know, but it was obviously hit hard."

He said all notices on the board paid a small fee to advertise each week – and every penny went to charity.

"Anything that goes in there, all the money goes to West Midlands Air Ambulance," he said.

It had been that way for almost two years since he had been running the shop, he said, and before that was used by Severn Hospice for the same purpose.

But now he was not sure what he would do with the damaged board, as it would have to stay damaged for the time being.

"A piece of glass like that would cost about £120 to replace," he said.

"If I was taking money on it I might do it, but I'm not so I can't afford to replace it – especially as some idiot might go and smash it again in a week's time," he said.

Anyone with any information on the damage should contact police on 101.