A CHEST used as a collection box for donations that was stolen from St Eustachius in Tavistock has been returned to the church. The solid oak chest, believed to more than 50 years old, was carried out by thieves in broad daylight on a Sunday afternoon in February. It contained cash collected from donations and the sale of books, magazines and candles. Last week it was found by builders after it was dumped in Garden Lane, just a few yards from St Eustachius itself, and brought home to the church last Thursday. Tavistock police, who investigated the original theft, have been informed of the return of the collection box. The back of the chest was removed and any cash taken but, thankfully, thieves did not vandalise the rest of it. Churchwarden Peter Young told the Times: ?The chest was taken on February 25 and by co-incidence it was brought back exactly five months later. ?Although the box is damp and wet it is not too badly damaged and I am hoping that with a bit of TLC the chest can be restored and once again used in the church. ?The problem is that we will need to bolt it down to the floor or fix it to the pews but without causing any damage.? Mr Young said the church was grateful to the builders who found and returned the abandoned chest to a surprised lay reader who was in the church at the time ? they left without giving their name. He said he would like to thank them properly for their trouble if they cared to contact him through the church office. The Rev Michael Brierley, the vicar of St Eustacius, added: ?We are pleased that the box has been found and are looking into whether or not it can be restored. ?It is surprising that nobody saw anything on a Sunday afternoon when it was taken but we are grateful those people who have returned it to us.?
