‘Restore pride and remove graffiti’, says newly elected Lib Dem city councillor

A year on and a graffiti tag still remains on the historic St Oswald’s Priory monument in Gloucester.

Originally built by Queen Aethelflaed, daughter of Alfred the Great as long ago as 880AD, the remains of the north-side still stand tall just a stones throw from the iconic cathedral on the edge of the city centre.

The tag in green letters appeared at the beginning of April 2022, but has yet to be removed by the city council.

Newly elected Councillor Rebecca Trimnell, who won last week’s by-election for Westgate, said: “For the sake and integrity of the city of Gloucester the council must now remove the graffiti tag on St Oswald’s Priory.

“The graffiti tag has no place on this historical monument which is over 1,000 years old and its non-removal shows a city that simply does not care.

“I have now written to the council in my new capacity as councillor for the area and have asked for a timeframe to when this will finally be removed.

“I am disappointed with the perpetrator of this disrespectful damage and for the city council’s failure to remove this scar on this historic monument.

“Leaving such damage not only brings an area down, and fuels other antisocial behaviours, but also shows visitors to the area the city’s level of pride and respect.

“For all our sakes, I call on the council to now remove this graffiti and bring back pride to this city.”