Stolen tree replaced for Christmas

Kathleen Ramage, 84, of Chapel Lane, Penistone, Barnsley, was disgusted when she woke up on Tuesday morning to find the tree, which had been planted 11 years ago by her late husband, gone. But when volunteers at Penistone FM heard about what had happened, they asked local garden centre Horsfields if they would consider helping them provide a replacement.

Now Mrs Ramage has a new, smaller tree in her garden in time for Christmas and said: “I was horrified, I can’t really say how I felt. I was speechless for a little while.

“Then I realised that the day they had stolen it would have been my husband’s birthday, and of course that set the tears rolling.

“But then Horsfield’s heard about it and they very kindly sent me a tree to put in its place, and I feel just so overcome.

“There are kind people, you lose you faith in human nature and then somebody comes along and does a kindness like that.

“It means such a lot. I felt that I was being stupid getting upset, and I just want to thank them.”