Saturday, July 18, 2009

Family's anguish over cruel theft of memorial

Thieves have stolen a shrine to a cancer victim, leaving a family distraught and outraged.The 150lb stone birdbath placed in memory of Aileen Clingham-Lindsay has been stolen in the latest ghoulish attack on mourners at Cambridge Crematorium. Aileen, a bird lover, died with her children by her side on October 27, 2004 - one day after her 75th birthday. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer just 22 days earlier.
Her son, Chris Clingham, 47, of Waterbeach Road, Cambridge, was with his sister Karen Pinder, 52, of Milton, when they discovered the "despicable" theft on Sunday. Mr Clingham said: "My sister has really been set back by this. It's like my mother died all over again."What is wrong with our society when the grief for lost ones that we share is completely disregarded by mindless idiots whose only thought is themselves? "My mother loved garden birds, and we thought it would be a fitting memorial to her to build a birdbath at the crematorium."
The theft comes after an elderly woman was recently mugged in the crematorium. The News has reported several thefts from mourners' cars and the stealing of 150 memorial plaques last year. Mr Clingham said: "For four years now, we have had a beautiful spot in the Memorial Woodland to be with her, but when my sister and I visited, our shock and outrage could not be contained. "The birdbath had been stolen. It was soul-destroying to walk through the woodland only to see a big empty gap where the birdbath had been just a few days ago, and because it wasn't there the area looked completely lifeless. "This was a calculated act of theft which took absolutely no account of the devastating impact that it would have on the family and friends of the person it was there to commemorate. "It is a beautiful piece, and I hope that whoever stole this receives absolutely no joy from it, and I pray that not a single bird visits it in its new location, and that it becomes as barren as the hearts of the people who stole it. I hope the thieves are proud of their actions, and I'm sure their families will be pleased to know that they took a birdbath that in itself is just a birdbath, but in reality is actually the heart of a grieving family forced to grieve again." A police spokeswoman said: "The effect that thefts of sentimental items have on individuals and families can be enormous, as in this case. It is disgusting that thieves should prey on memorials in places which people regard as sacred. I can only hope the thief finds a conscience and returns the birdbath." Anyone with information about the theft should contact police on 0345 456 4564

(Reproduced from Cambridge News, July 15th)

GARDIEN TIP: Read and follow the advice we offer about Outdoor Items at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/garden-antiques-security.aspx

No comments: