HUDDERSFIELD, England -- A local council apologized Friday after headstones were broken up and used to build a new wall in a northern English village.
Residents were shocked to see heartfelt messages to loved ones inscribed in the 50-foot dry-stone wall, which is owned by the town hall in Netherton, near the town of Huddersfield.
One slab read, "The beloved ... who died ..." with the rest of the inscription chipped away.
Local resident Rob Campbell, 37, said, "I just couldn't believe it. This is a clear disregard for other people's feelings. It is a well-used area with a bus stop nearby. There are also a lot of older people who live near there and will pass the wall."
He added, "A lot of people have seen it and complained, saying it is wrong. Surely there must be a family missing a headstone somewhere and here it is in a wall in Netherton. It is terrible."
Kirklees Council apologized for the blunder, which was carried out by its own workers.
A spokesman said, "The stone for this wall was provided by a local supplier and we apologize that the engraving had not been noticed when the wall was being reconstructed. It has now been removed."
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