14th July 2009 Yesterday, I received an email informing me that Thomas Drummonds' headstone was lying face down and broken in All Saints church, Penshaw. I travelled to Penshaw on Tuesday 14th and had a look for myself. The headstone looks to have been in this position for a while and it is difficult to tell how it came to be in this position. Photographs of the damage are below.

I rang the Civic Centre in Sunderland today to try and find out who to approach to have the stone turned over so that the face is on view. I am sure that it's Historical value will encourage some group to see what can be done. The headstone is in three pieces so it may not be repairable but it should be left in a tidy state rather than be left the way it is. The person I spoke to in the cemeteries department told me to try to get info from the local studies centre in Sunderland library. I am awaiting a reply and I will post here when I find out further info.

15th July - I received a call back from local studies in Sunderland who were very sympathectic and gave me several numbers to try and create some interest. After making and receiving calls all day, I still have no solution. I intend to ring the Civic centre back as the graveyard is now 'closed' and in the care of the council rather than the church/diocese as I had believed.

UPDATE - 13th September 2009

Today, a kind volunteer turned the headstone over so the inscription can be seen. Some of the stone facing came off with the lettering but the top half is relatively unscathed.

Base - repositioned	Largest piece lifted - relatively intactntact
Close up of damage to the smaller pieces	Headstone turned over

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