Kentish Express Ashford & District
Couple shocked at landmark’s theft
tcollins@thekmgroup.co.uk What should have been the start of a new chapter in the lives of a Kennington couple turned sour after thieves made off with a precious handcrafted birdhouse from their new home.
Joan Bower, 69, has lived in the borough since the mid-1970s and for 26 years has been working as a therapist from her home.
In 1991 her husband John Chorley, 70, lovingly created a dovecote to act as a landmark for people who were looking for his wife’s clinic.
In the past week the couple have been moving into a new home and business premises in the grounds of Bybrook Barn in Canterbury Road, where Joan has set up The Dovecote Centre.
Experiencing difficulty in putting the heavy dovecote up, they laid it down out of sight in the grounds of their home.
But when they returned to complete the task, the couple found that the item was gone.
Joan said: “I couldn’t really believe it. It would take three people to move it, so we were totally amazed it was gone.
“It’s horrible to think that somewhere you are moving isn’t safe, and it’s almost like a bad omen on this new chapter of my life.
“I’m sure the people who took it wouldn’t understand what it means to me – it’s so important to me.” The dovecote was taken between Saturday, July 13, and Monday, July 15.
It is missing a tile from the roof and a sill.
If you know the whereabouts of the dovecote, write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk