A SHARP-eyed lorry driver has solved the mystery of candlesticks stolen from a March church. The two silver candlesticks were stolen from St John's Church last August but despite police investigations they were not recovered. But thanks to the lorry drive
A SHARP-eyed lorry driver has solved the mystery of candlesticks stolen from a March church.The two silver candlesticks were stolen from St John's Church last August but despite police investigations they were not recovered.But thanks to the lorry driver the candlesticks were back on the altar on Monday ready for the licensing of the Rev Stephen Taylor as the new priest.The lorry driver stops regularly in the layby on the A14 near Thrapston, Northamptonshire, and it was during a break he spotted something glistening under a hedge. He kicked the objects and there was a clinking sound. It turned out to be the two candlesticks engraved with the words 'St John's March 1892'.The driver had met a couple from March while on holiday and rang them to see if they had any connection with St John's. They knew the Rev Pam Bayliss at Trinity Church so he contacted her. As St John's did not have a vicar at that time, the Rev Bayliss suggested he contact Terry Streamer, lay preacher at the church.Mrs Streamer said: "The driver frequently stops in this layby and he is absolutely certain they had not been there before. I give the driver full marks for tenacity."He rang me and as a result made a special journey from Northamptonshire to return the candlesticks to the church where they are now restored. Of course a letter of thanks has gone off to the remarkable lorry driver.
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