Year 6 children at Weston-under-Penyard School were very disappointed to hear of the theft of three apple trees which they planted, opposite their school, along the drive leading up to St Lawrence Church, Weston-under-Penyard.

They were planted on Monday, November 28th by the children who were helped by Revd Neil Patterson, Brian Bird, Headteacher, Mrs Kate Barratt, a School Governor and Mrs Susan Lewis, a School Governor and Chair of the Parish Council. She noticed that the trees were missing as she walked up to church on Sunday morning.

The trees were planted as part of the 2011 Herefordshire Year of the Orchard, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the publication of Pomona Herefordiensis by Thomas Andrew Knight in 1811, a famous early illustrated guide to the apple and pear varieties of the county.  Revd Neil Patterson applied for Weston Village, with the support of the school and also the Parish Council to be part of the scheme.  The school was given three trees to plant - two historic varieties, Downton Pippin and Stoke Edith Pippin, and the modern Herefordshire Russet.

The theft of the trees has been reported to the police.  If anyone believes they saw anyone acting suspiciously around the church field on the night of Friday, December 2nd, or believes they know where the trees may have been taken, could they please contact the police at Hereford (101 ext.4806) directly, or Revd Neil Patterson at Weston-under-Penyard Rectory on 01989 567229, or email [email protected]">[email protected]