A HEARTBROKEN elderly couple are appealing to thieves to return ornaments stolen from their memorial garden.
The heavyweight stone cherubs were taken from the front garden of Horace and Betty Howarth’s home in Dobcross.
They had taken pride of place there in memory of their nephew Karl Jones, who was tragically killed in a motor cycle accident.
Mr Jones, 33, died on the A62 at Delph in 2007 – the same year Mrs Howarth’s eldest and youngest brothers, Arthur and Raymond Hirst, passed away.
It was the Howarth’s kind-hearted son, Andrew, a professional gardener, who bought the ornaments to ease his parents’ grief.
Andrew, 45, said: “We are a closely-knit family and my parents were deeply upset by the loss of their relatives.
“I placed the pair of white cherubs with another bought previously in the garden. It meant mum and dad could look at ornaments and think of Karl and the brothers.
“It gave them real comfort and, over the years, we planted more shrubs and plants which made it a real memorial garden.
“They are truly devastated by the theft. The three cherubs cost very little but in sentimental value they are absolutely priceless to my mum and dad.
“In reality, the cherubs themselves are heavy and I reckon it would have taken two people to physically lift them.”
And he appealed: “If anyone knows the whereabouts of the cherubs, I’d ask they call us.
“We don’t want the person’s name – just let us know where the cherubs are. Or, if they can see it in their hearts to return them, so much the better.”
OMBC and Saddleworth Parish councillor Derek Heffernan said: “I was bitterly disappointed to hear a memorial has been vandalised and items stolen.
“I can understand why Mr and Mrs Howarth are devastated. My feelings go out to them. We cannot bring Karl back but we can revere his memory.
“Thankfully only a few disgraceful members of our society would ever think of carrying out such a despicable act.”
Mr and Mrs Howarth, aged 77 and 74 respectively, have won several awards in the annual Saddleworth in Bloom awards for their garden.
Anyone with information that could lead to the recovery of the missing ornaments should contact: 01457 875859.
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