There has been outrage and upset after a floral urn was reportedly stolen from Dame Vivienne Westwood's grave in Glossop.
Local business Norris Floristry had been commissioned to create the floral instillation for the legendary designer's funeral and to also regularly maintain her grave until a permanent memorial was put in place.
But on Sunday morning (May 28) a concerned local resident got in touch with the florist after noticing the floral display, including a heavy urn filled with sand and rocks, had vanished from the graveyard at Tintwistle and Glossop United Reformed Church.
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The legendary fashion designer, who was born in the quiet Derbyshire village of Tintwistle, passed away aged 81, surrounded by her family on December 29 last year.
Head florist Anja Norris, told the Manchester Evening News of her upset at learning the urn had been taken, and that it was likely 'planned' due to the weight of the urn and remote location of the graveyard.
She said: "We were commissioned to do the floral installation for her funeral in her home village, and she was buried here. We were asked to look after her grave until a permanent memorial is put in place.
"We have been tending to the grave and attend every two weeks to make sure it looks beautiful, and part of this included placing a big heavy urn planter on it. Every couple of months we would change the flowers with the seasons changing.
"This morning (May 28) a resident messaged me who was on a walk and said the urn had gone. It was really heavy and can't just be carried away, so it would have probably involved at least two people, and with a car or transport as the church is hidden away off the beaten track and up a steep hill. You couldn't just stumble across it."
It is thought the urn has been taken at some point in the last two weeks, since Anja and her team last visited the grave. It has since been reported to Derbyshire Police.
"It has so much sentimental meaning to the family and those who come to visit the grave, it's just shocking somebody would do something like this," Anja added.
"The entire urn had been planted with new flowers for summer. It's a real low for someone to steal something from someone's grave."
There was upset and outrage following the news the urn had vanished on social media, with one person writing: "What a crime, to disturb the resting place of Vivienne…it's a beautiful memorial to her life and what she means to so many people."
Another wrote: "No respect for the late Dame Vivienne nor her family. Disgusting behaviour."
Derbyshire Police have been approached for comment.
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