Historic scroll returned to Shire Hall in Monmouth

A scroll ripped from an historic statue outside a building undergoing a £4.5m restoration has been returned.

The 218-year-old scroll was removed from the statue of Henry V, which stands on the front of Shire Hall in Monmouth, sometime between 14-16 May.

Shortly after Gwent Police appealed for its return it was handed in, damaged, to an officer.

Restoration project manager Keith Davies said: "We are so excited and relieved to have the scroll back."

Monmouthshire council has been renovating Shire Hall in Monmouth with help from lottery funding.

The scroll, part of the statue of Henry V which was erected at the front of the building in 1792, had no resale value but is of significant historical value, said the council.

After its theft the council, due to complete the project soon, appealed to people in Monmouth to help them find the scroll.

Mr Davies explained: "The police made inquiries with local people that they thought could have been involved and they stressed that the scroll should just be handed back.

"Then while holding a community policing surgery in Monmouth, a young person turned up with the scroll asking if there was a reward for its safe return."

The police confirmed there was no reward and handed the scroll back to the council, he said.

"We send our thanks to the police and the people in Monmouth who helped to get it back."

Mr Davies confirmed that the gold leaf to the scroll had been damaged, and this has been repaired at an estimated cost of more than £300.

"The police are making further enquiries at this time, but we are just happy that the scroll is back," he said.

The grade I listed building dates back to 1724, while Henry V was born in Monmouth castle in 1388.