Beloved sheep sculptures on a North Yorkshire roundabout have been vandalized with red crosses painted across them, sparking outrage from local officials and community members. The artwork, which has served as a local landmark for over a decade, was discovered defaced early in the morning, prompting immediate cleanup efforts from concerned residents.
The sculptures are located on the Dotterel roundabout near Reighton, positioned on the A165 highway between the coastal towns of Bridlington and Filey. The 2011 installation features a complete pastoral scene with five fiberglass sheep, a shepherd, and his sheepdog, creating a charming tribute to the area's agricultural heritage. The artwork was created by Ronald Falck, a local artist and teacher who passed away in 2018, making the vandalism particularly meaningful to the community.
Sam Cross, a North Yorkshire Council representative for the Filey area, expressed his shock and dismay upon discovering the vandalism during his morning commute to work in Bridlington. "I see this as an important landmark and I was absolutely horrified this morning," Cross stated. Determined to address the damage immediately, he returned to the site equipped with methylated spirits and a scourer to attempt removing the paint.
Despite Cross's dedicated cleanup efforts, the damage appears extensive and may require professional restoration. "I've been scrubbing for half an hour and to be quite honest I think they are all going to need repainting," he explained. "They've put thick red gloss paint on." The use of heavy gloss paint has made removal particularly challenging, potentially requiring complete repainting of the affected sculptures.
The vandalism comes amid a broader trend of increased flag displays across England, with St George's and Union Jack flags appearing more frequently in cities, towns, and villages throughout the country in recent weeks. Groups responsible for these flag displays have told the BBC that their actions are motivated by pride and patriotism. However, others have expressed concern that such displays feel provocative during a time of heightened tensions across England regarding immigration issues.
While Cross emphasized his respect for the St George's flag and patriotic expression, he firmly condemned the vandalism of public art. "I am all for having flags on every building, but as for daubing with thick red paint I am totally against it," he said. "If you want to fly the flag, fly one on the top of your house." His comments reflect a broader sentiment that patriotic expression should not come at the expense of community landmarks and public property.
North Yorkshire Council was contacted for official comment regarding the incident and potential restoration plans for the damaged sculptures. The vandalism represents not only property damage but also disrespect for the memory of artist Ronald Falck and the community pride the sculptures have represented for more than a decade.
