Memorial bench theft 'despicable'
A memorial bench to a long-serving captain has been stolen from a bowls club in Walsall, leaving members devastated.
The bench, in memory of former bowls player and committee member Leonard Dyal, was taken from Pelsall Community Association Bowling Club, Station Road.
Mr Dyal and his wife Peggy moved to Pelsall in 1962 and joined Pelsall Bowls Club in 1979.
Mr Dyal was still a member when he died in August 2013 and Peggy, who donated the bench, is still a member now.
Mrs Dyal received a call on Friday morning informing her that the bench had been stolen.
She said: "It is despicable that anybody would do this, when I received the call it was very upsetting, I was devastated.
"It had been well-planned, I think.
"The green is concealed and you can't see it from the main road.
"My daughter and I thought it would be a good idea to have the bench.
"I thought it would be an appropriate reminder of him for whenever I went down there.
"I don't think the bench will reappear in Pelsall now though."
The bench was installed in April and was bolted to a concrete base on the side of the club's bowling green.
Pelsall Bowls Club is now in its 50th anniversary year and the bench honoured one of its finest servants.
Brian Lewis, club secretary, said: "Leonard was an outstanding player and a committee member at the club for 30 years.
"It was an expensive bench with a plaque on it.
"It was one of two memorial benches fitted at the same time in April.
"It is such a shocking thing to do, whoever has done it has deliberately targeted that bench.
"All of the members of the club are really upset about this, it is a despicable crime."
Mr Dyal served on the club committee from 1980 to 2010 and was captain of the B team in the Lichfield league from 1989 to 2008.
He also won three competitions during his time at the club.
His friend and former teammate Gerald Nicholson said his service to be club was 'remarkable' and added: "He was a very well-respected member of the club was liked by everyone who knew him.
"He put a lot of effort into the club was an important part of its history."
West Midlands Police have been informed of the theft. Anyone with information should contact them by calling 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
