IT is meant to be the season of goodwill. But one cheeky thief has decided it is better to receive than to give.
A former church hymn board which has been a fixture in The Bell in Waltham St Lawrence for more than 20 years was stolen last Wednesday.
Now regulars at the popular hostelry hope the pub pincher has a pang of conscience – or end up on Santa’s naughty list this Christmas.
Manager Scott Ganson said staff only noticed the board was missing as they started to lock up for the night.
“We used it to list the names of the different beers we have on,” he explained.
“I’ve owned The Bell for the past 14 years and it was here before that. It has no monetary value but it was part of the pub’s history so there is a lot of sentimental value attached to it. It’s sad someone decided to take it.”
Scott said the hymn board is believed to have come from the former All Saints church in Sherlock Row. It was attached to the wall near the pub entrance so it could have been quickly removed without staff noticing.
“Last Wednesday was just another regular night and we didn’t notice the board was gone until we were closing up,” he added.
“We’re thinking someone took it for a laugh and if that’s the case, we are asking them to return it and we won’t take the matter any further. It could be left outside or near the pub.
“We are also asking people that if they come across a hymn board in a ditch or field, basically somewhere random, to let us know.”
