VILLAGERS in Mickleton have been left outraged after an antique shepherd’s hut they had spent 18 months restoring was stolen.
The distinctive hut, worth £10,000, was taken from the allotments in Stratford Road, between 4.30pm on November 15 and 8.30am on November 16.
Members of the Mickleton Community Vineyard bought the hut from a farmer and had only finished restoring it two months ago. It was hoped it would be used as a meeting place or information centre.
Chris Moorecroft, administrator of the vineyard, said everyone was upset by the theft. He said: “It was a labour of love for a number of people in the village. Some people are very upset. It was well secured to the ground with chains and bars.”
The shepherd’s hut was in poor condition when it was first bought, with rusty, corrugated iron and holes all over the structure.
Mr Moorecroft said: “It was part of the history of Mickleton. It was a shepherd’s hut from an old farm in Mickleton. It’s a loss of a bit of Mickleton heritage.
We will have to regroup and decide what to do. We’re going to do something.”
Anybody with information can call Gloucestershire police on 101 quoting incident 141 of November 16.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here