Vale churchwarden John Bichard was one of the volunteers manning the stall at Saturday’s fete when a donated generator was stolen. He is disgusted that people could stoop so low. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0806081)

VALE rector the Rev. Kevin Northover is dismayed that a donated generator was stolen from the church’s annual fete on Saturday.

The item, worth more than £100, was taken from a stall at the fund-raiser and witnesses reported seeing two women carrying it.

‘It was a great shock and sad because we had been given this brand-new petrol generator,’ Mr Northover said.

‘I went to the stall and noticed it was gone, so I congratulated the lady on selling it. She said she hadn’t, so we asked around and several people had seen two women walking off with it. Well, you would just assume they had bought it.’

Mr Northover said he had not contacted police but pleaded with whoever took the generator to bring it back.

‘There is not much the police could do about it,’ he said. ‘I just hope the women either bring it back or pay for it. I hope they check their conscience and think about the fact this was a charity event. It’s hugely disappointing.’

However, Mr Northover was heartened by the generosity of one child at the event.

‘There was a little boy who bought a book for 50p and, as his mother gave the money over, he said, “give them £1, it’s for charity”, which I thought was lovely.