Hi, I’m Ruth, the Secretary of the PCC (the guardians) of St Mary’s Church, Newmarket. I have attended this church for many years. I was married in it. I am involved with the Branch of the Mothers’ Union based in St Mary’s, I sing in the choir, arrange flowers, lead prayers, and will soon be enrolled as a Lay Elder. I have many friends, past and present, who are also connected with St Mary’s. The congregation of this church are a welcoming, warm family, and I, along with them, love and care for this historic building.

Last week, we were all shocked and horrified to discover that this house of prayer and sanctuary had been broken into, and many items stolen. These were sacred resources, used regularly in Holy Communion and other services throughout the year (including weddings, baptisms and funerals).

A lot of these lost pieces were gifts, given over many years in memory of loved ones. They have great sentimental value, besides their monetary worth.

There was also an attempt to remove the lightning conductor that protects this old building , which will need replacing.

This church is a safe space; a refuge for the lonely and the sad, the sick and the suffering. It has served the people of Newmarket for generations. Now this place of peace and comfort has been violated.

We are a small congregation, largely made of pensioners, who are always facing an uphill struggle to care for and preserve this Newmarket landmark; while also doing our best to reach out and help others. Now, because of this act of greed and profanity, we have to find a large insurance excess and improve our security. It is a terrible blow to us, causing considerable grief and stress.

It is also a blow to the wider community, and to all who have ever used, or will use, the church.

We need to overcome this setback, to help restore our trust in strangers so that we can continue to welcome anyone in.

We need to feel the support of the people of Newmarket, so we can continue to help and serve them with action and prayers.

It is not just about replacing material things.

It is about ordinary people saying, No to the pitiful individuals who just take for themselves. It is about saying, this was totally disrespectful; that some things are sacred.

It is about returning the church to its role as a place of sanctuary, peace and joy.

This is an appeal to help us pay our insurance excess.

This church building has been relying on a faithful few. Can we now rely on you?