AS MANY in the borough, and indeed the nation, are now aware, two crocheted saddles adorning Arborfield’s life-sized horse sculptures were stolen just hours after they were installed on Saturday.
They were put there by the Barkham Hookers – a group that has raised thousands of pounds for charity – to celebrate the 80th D-Day anniversary.
The saddles took many hours to create, each made up of more than 200 specially crocheted purple poppies, and topped with a crocheted helmet.
Gaynor White who leads the group, said: “It’s absolutely bonkers that someone would take them.
“We’d just like to have them back so that people can enjoy them.
“The response to the theft has been huge – really amazing.
“It’s a story that has been shared and shared, and we’re just hoping that through the power of social media, and people power, someone will discover where they are and return them to us.
“Even as far away as Manchester people have heard about what happened and told us how horrified they are.”
Gaynor says that no questions will be asked if the saddles are anonymously returned.
They may be placed back on the horses, or can be dropped, inside a carrier bag, near to Wokingham Town Hall, preferably on Thursday when members of the Royal British Legion can find them at the town’s D-Day celebrations.
“I was in Arborfield putting up ‘stolen’ notices, and the horses still look beautiful,” she added.
“They’ve got their bridles, and they’re still surrounded by lots of beautiful poppies, so it’s worth coming to see them.”
The group’s giant poppies will be available to buy after the D-Day celebrations, with proceeds going to the Royal British Legion.
And members will be in Wokingham Market Place, on June 6 for the D-Day celebrations, selling poppy brooches.
The group’s decorative post box toppers can also be seen in the borough: at Barkham Post Office; Gorse Ride North/Barkham Ride; Finchampstead Post Office; Princess Marina Drive, Arborfield; Londis Stores, Arborfield; Meadow Road, Wokingham; BP/M&S garage, Finchampstead Road; Old Library, Wokingham; Easthampstead Road, Wokingham; Old Post Office, Broad Street, Wokingham; Murdoch Road, Wokingham; Waitrose Wokingham;Tesco Wokingham; Matthews Green Road, Wokingham; Valley Crescent, Emmbrook; Brambley Grove, Crowthorne; and One Stop, Spencers Wood.
For information, visit the group’s Facebook page:
