Help us find our sign (From Northwich Guardian)

A Lostock preschool has had its sign stolen, just days after it was fitted

12:10pm Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News By Emma Rigby

CHILDREN at a preschool in Lostock have been left heartbroken after their school sign was stolen just days after being erected.

Now, staff at the school are appealing for information to help them find the culprit.

The school, which has been providing childcare in Lostock Gralam for 20 years, recently moved from its former home next to Lostock Gralam Primary School to the Vicarage on Station Road.

The sign had been fitted on the former site on Saturday, to inform families where the school is located, and had been met by great excitement by all the children.

A new outdoor environment with apple trees, lawns and nature areas had also been added to the preschool, which is a registered charity, with the help of generous donators.

But on Monday, when the school reopened for inductions, both staff and pupils were left distraught when they noticed the sign was gone.

“We had spent so much time fundraising and receiving donations from the local community to enable us to provide these new experiences for the children,” said school supervisor Sandra Waterhouse.

“We were devastated to find our new sign had been stolen on Monday morning – it had only been up since Saturday.

“The children had been so excited to see it up on the school fence and to discover it was missing and see the cable ties just lying on the ground was such an upsetting time for everyone who has worked so hard to help us to get where we are.

“The children just kept asking ‘where has our sign gone?’”

Sandra says the school can’t afford to replace the sign but, without it, they have no way of informing people where they are.

“We would love any information regarding this. Maybe someone saw the sign being taken down from outside the primary school, or maybe someone has found it if the thief has thrown it over their fence.

“We really can’t afford to replace the sign, but we don’t want the people of Lostock to miss out on our childcare services.

“This was the only way of letting people know that we have moved sites.”

Anyone who has information should contact Sandra on 0783 3307 615, or alternatively, contact the Guardian on 01606 813 621.