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Beggar's Bridge: Stonemason hired to repair Glaisdale landmark

North York Moors National Park Authority Vandalism at Beggar's Bridge, North YorkshireNorth York Moors National Park Authority
Letters have been inscribed into the bridge's stonework using a power tool

A stonemason has been appointed to carry out repairs to a 17th Century bridge vandalised with a power tool.

The Grade II listed Beggar's Bridge, near Glaisdale, is thought to have been damaged by an angle grinder in late July.

At the time of the incident, North York Moors National Park Authority said it was a "crude act of heritage crime".

Nigel Copsey told the BBC he planned to carry out the repairs, expected to take a day to complete, in December.

PAUL KENT Beggar's Bridge, GlaisdalePAUL KENT
Beggar's Bridge near Glaisdale was built across the Esk in 1619 by a wealthy merchant

Letters were carved up to 1.5in (3.8cm) deep across parts of the stone parapet wall.

Mr Copsey said he intended to fill the incisions on "this very important little bridge" with mortar.

He added: "Just like the felling of the tree at Sycamore Gap, I can't really make sense of it [the vandalism]. Clearly, a lot of effort has gone into causing that damage."

According to the park authority, the damage was in a "prominent position" on the bridge, which is a designated scheduled monument. It said the government had now approved plans for the repairs.

An authority spokesperson said: "The damage is approximately 120cm long and consists of a series of letters carved into four separate pieces of stonework. The letters are as much as 1.5in deep in places and are believed to have been created by an angle grinder.

"Concerns are given about the damage being deep enough to cause structural instability in these stones."

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Chris J Parker Beggar's Bridge, GlaisdaleChris J Parker
The bridge is close to the path of the Coast to Coast trail and is popular with walkers

Beggar's Bridge

The bridge was built in 1619 by wealthy merchant Tom Ferris, who became Sheriff of Hull and later Mayor.

According to legend, Ferris was originally the son of a poor Egton farmer and loved Agnes Richardson, daughter of a squire who lived across the River Esk in Glaisdale.

He was rejected as a suitor and denounced as a beggar by the squire, so decided to go to sea to seek his fortune.

However, he was prevented from saying goodbye to Agnes by floods making the river impassable.

After making his fortune, he is said to have returned to marry Agnes and built the bridge to help future lovers.

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