This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-22672348
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Nantgarw Chinaworks Museum's 18th Century paving stones stolen | Nantgarw Chinaworks Museum's 18th Century paving stones stolen |
| (1 day later) | |
| Paving slabs dating from the 18th Century have been stolen from a pottery museum in south Wales, with trustees saying they are irreplaceable. | |
| Around 200 stones dating back to 1780 were lifted from Nantgarw Chinaworks Museum, Rhondda Cynon Taff (RCT), sometime on Friday or Saturday. | Around 200 stones dating back to 1780 were lifted from Nantgarw Chinaworks Museum, Rhondda Cynon Taff (RCT), sometime on Friday or Saturday. |
| The museum is the only surviving 19th Century porcelain works in the UK and run by a group of trustees. | The museum is the only surviving 19th Century porcelain works in the UK and run by a group of trustees. |
| South Wales Police are investigating and have appealed for witnesses. | |
| The theft, which has been estimated as costing £10,000, has been condemned by the museum trustees, who are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the porcelain works opening. | The theft, which has been estimated as costing £10,000, has been condemned by the museum trustees, who are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the porcelain works opening. |
| The site is leased from RCT council. | The site is leased from RCT council. |
| Treasurer Mike Morris said: "We are all quite distressed about it. The paving stones are irreplaceable, they are the original slabs. The cost of putting them back would be quite significant." | Treasurer Mike Morris said: "We are all quite distressed about it. The paving stones are irreplaceable, they are the original slabs. The cost of putting them back would be quite significant." |
| 'Archaeological vandalism' | 'Archaeological vandalism' |
| Mr Morris estimates each 2ft by 1ft paving stone could be worth £50. | Mr Morris estimates each 2ft by 1ft paving stone could be worth £50. |
| He said: "Whoever has done this has made quite a concerted effort to take them. They must have had a big lorry." | He said: "Whoever has done this has made quite a concerted effort to take them. They must have had a big lorry." |
| The museum does not have outside CCTV but Mr Morris said police officers were checking other footage from the area. | The museum does not have outside CCTV but Mr Morris said police officers were checking other footage from the area. |
| Nantgarw's porcelain became highly prized in London society and aristocratic circles after one time Royal Worcester artist and potter William Billingsley bought the works. | Nantgarw's porcelain became highly prized in London society and aristocratic circles after one time Royal Worcester artist and potter William Billingsley bought the works. |
| Mr Morris added: "Between 1813 and 1822 Nantgarw produced some of the finest porcelain ever made. | Mr Morris added: "Between 1813 and 1822 Nantgarw produced some of the finest porcelain ever made. |
| "This archaeological vandalism is a major set back for the trust whose aims include creating a living museum and a centre of excellence for ceramics in south Wales." | "This archaeological vandalism is a major set back for the trust whose aims include creating a living museum and a centre of excellence for ceramics in south Wales." |
| The works only produced porcelain for a few years before the factory later switched to making stoneware bottles, earthenware and clay tobacco pipes until it closed in 1920. | The works only produced porcelain for a few years before the factory later switched to making stoneware bottles, earthenware and clay tobacco pipes until it closed in 1920. |
| South Wales Police officers are checking reclamation sites in Cardiff to see if the stones have been sold on. | South Wales Police officers are checking reclamation sites in Cardiff to see if the stones have been sold on. |