Stolen memorial bench found dumped
A SOCIAL media campaign helped reunite a Hinckley landlady and a stolen memorial bench.
Sue Summerill, 51, was distraught to discover a beloved tribute to her husband Howard Williams had been stolen from Hinckley Rugby Club over the Bank Holiday weekend.
But the item was found on Friday fully intact, dumped in a layby in Stoke Golding.
Sue said: “We are over the moon to have it back. It’s now safe in my front room until we can get it securely in place where it belongs.”
Sue had initially appealed for the bench’s return on Facebook which had received more than 500 shares.
A businessman from the area even offered a £500 reward for information leading to the conviction of those behind the theft.
The Hinckley Times also published an article about the stolen item.
Sue said: “I think all the attention on social media helped.
“They probably knew they wouldn’t be able to get anything for it around here.”
The only thing that was removed was a metallic plaque, which Sue is happy to replace.
The family had the bench built in memory of Howard who used to watch his children and grandchildren playing at the rugby club.
He died in 2014 aged 71, after suffering from chron- ic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for a number of years.
He and Sue ran the Greyhound pub in New Buildings for eight years.
She now runs Castle Street micropub The Pestle and Mortar which she launched in 2015.
Sue plans to modify the bench with longer legs before putting it back, so it can be set even more firmly in its concrete foundations.
She said her family were all delighted with the bench’s safe return.
It is hoped it will be returned to the rugby club in time for father’s day.