Appeal to find guitar stolen from cathedral
A MUSICIAN has appealed for the return of his guitar after the family heirloom was stolen from Manchester Cathedral as he prepared to perform.
Tommy Ashby, 30, had his red Hofner Verithin taken from the place of worship on Friday afternoon.
He had left the guitar, which his dad owned for 50 years before giving it to him, on stage following a sound check.
When he returned from getting something to eat, he saw it had been stolen.
The evening concert still went ahead, but Tommy had to borrow a guitar, which made the performance more difficult.
He said: “It is a vintage instrument from 1963 so it is old and pretty rare and valuable. But its value is much more sentimental than monetary.”
The concert was part of European tour for Tommy, who lives in London.
He was performing his own music as a support act before also appearing as lead guitarist for singersongwriter Jamie Lawson, who topped the bill.
The guitar is red with a black strap with locking heads. It has a large scratch above the neck pickup and a smaller scratch from the topside f-hole.
It has the serial number 2009.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.