Pontypool RAF veteran couple's house sign tribute fire

Julie Wood-Antill and her husband Steve have been living in their Pontypool house for a year – but have been left terrified by the fact that the house sign – a tribute to the RAF - was set on fire.

“It could have spread around the house,” said Mrs Wood-Antill. “We were upstairs when it happened and didn’t know until someone knocked on our door and asked if we knew the sign had been set on fire.”

Thankfully for the couple, the damaged was confined to the sign itself and did not spread further, but it is another blow.

The sign after the fire

“I love living in Pontypool, but its making us think if we made the right choice,” she said. “We’ve only been here a year but we’ve had a previous house sign pulled off the wall and cracked and had vodka bottles thrown at the wall.

“We do have CCTV, however, it doesn’t cover the front of the house, so we are getting new CCTV to catch the culprits.”

Julie and Steve Wood-Antill both served in the RAF. Picture: Julie Wood-Antill.

The house sign had a significant meaning to the couple as it portrayed their careers in the RAF and paid tribute to servicemen and women.

“I just don’t understand why. If it’s against the RAF, why? If it’s just for fun, why? What do you get from burning a house sign?

“A number of people who have walked past or I’ve spoken to have been really shocked to see the damage done.”

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After posting on social media asking if anyone had any information, Mrs Wood-Antill was contacted by a kind gentleman who offered to make a new sign for her.

“It was such a lovely thing to offer, and it did restore my faith in humanity. However, I declined because I’m terrified that something would happen to it.

“I don’t want to put anything on my house now and if I did and something happened to it, it would be worse because it was made by someone so kind.”

The house sign before the fire

A Gwent Police spokesman said: “We’re received a report of a fire in George Street, Pontypool at around 4.05pm on Sunday, September 19.

“A house sign was reportedly set on fire between 1pm and 3pm. No injuries were reported.

“Anyone with information should call 101, quoting log 2100330867, or you can send us a direct message on Facebook or Twitter.

“Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”