Charity concert organisers heartbroken over theft

Richard Baulu, landlord of the King's Arms and friend and fellow Concert At The Kings founder John 'Grubby' Callis are angry and heartbroken that the essential materials have been stolen as they prepare for this year's concert.

Mr Callis, who is Paul McCartney's sound engineer said: "We have had £20,000 of fencing stolen from the field behind the pub. This is something we will have to replace at our cost unfortunately.

"I can't say how gutted I am. Why would some one do this to us. It’s not someone who wants to sell this as they left 90 per cent of stuff and only took what they must know we need.

"We need any help we can get with regaining some of the fencing or the cost will be huge in making this show work."

Mr Baulu said the theft was discovered last week and has been reported to Wiltshire police who as supporters of the Rock Against Cancer event were deeply concerned by the crime.

He said: "Whoever did this had the right equipment to unlock the bolts. They must have also had some sort of flat back vehicle to take it away.

"We are all very upset by the theft and can't understand why we have been targeted in this way. The fencing is not worth very much to anyone else but it will be very expensive for us to replace. It is barriers that we have collected over the years that have gone but other stuff has been left behind."

The concerts began in 2012 and over the years have raised huge amounts of money for several cancer charities and village causes. Big names such as Brian May, Jeff Beck and Bob Geldof.

Mr Baulu said tickets were selling well for this year's concert on May 26 which will have headliners Billy Ocean and ex Roxy Music singer songwriter Paul Carrack.

Mr Baulu said: "We have got a very strong line-up this year and we have already sold a lot of tickets. We think it is going to be one of the best concert ever."