Stewart Griffin's UK Collection Stolen!

dorothy7774

Hey everyone,

you might have heard allready that Stewart Griffin's
collection,UK,was stolen on Wednesday!!
It sadly includes also his priced Taiwanese Juniper (Noelaender Trophy
winner,see bonsai Europe 4/06 p.45 and the best of Bonsai in
Europe 5 p.36)
Please rewiew your safety measures around your trees and
keep your eyes open for Stewart's trees!
If you have good security ideas please share them with us.
In your own interst do not post your current safety procedures.

Best Regards,
Dorothy Schmitz,Fl

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Here is a link to a posting on IBC with a little more information.

http://internetbonsaiclub.org/index...c=19842.new#new

With permission, here is a picture of the juniper in question.

Attached Images

Stewarts Stolen Juniper.jpg (34.8 KB, 121 views)

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Ian_Homer

This is indeed tragic news !

I hope the community can come together in the best possible way to secure the safe return of some, if not all of his trees that were stolen.

I know of him through friends, but no idea where he lives.
It is clear those with SERIOUS trees need to be constantly aware of who they meet and who are invited back to view..... more so, with the internet and the power of "Google" searches.... it is quite easy for those who would stoop so low, to trace a persons movements and then follow them home.

Please be ALERT & AWARE !!!!

I wish a speedy conclusion to this and that the persons responsible are brought to justice.

Regards,
Ian.

davidryan820

I actually gasped when I read this. Rediculous, absolutely rediculous. I hope he recovers his trees soon. Having read the post on the other forum, did neighbours NOT see this tree being stolen? If it is over a meter tall, you'd think someone would be suspicious.

Aaron_K

Absolutely disgusting behaviour. For such a peaceful and respectful art form, I find it abhorrent that someone could take possession of such items in the knowledge that they are stolen. Sometimes burglary is described as victimless crime. Try telling that to those that have had their homes and businesses invaded and property stolen.

I don't know what the bonsai community can do, other than keep their eyes open for this tree and others. These would have been stolen to order most likely and what with the Euro Tunnel, may not even be in the UK anymore.

My sincere condolences go out to Stewart Griffin. I know I love my trees and they are nowhere near the calibre of his. He must be totally gutted!

Like Ian, I really hope they are recovered without damage and the perpetrators brought to justice.

All the best,

Aaron

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irene_b

Disgusting, I hope who took it gets caught and loses their hands over it.
Irene

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Ian_Homer

I spoke to David Jones at the pottery this afternoon who knows Stewart well. He tells me it was during the night, while they were actually IN the house asleep.

The complete collection has gone, amongst them some BIG trees and raw material, so there must have been several people and a large van to perpetrate the crime.

Someone in the Bonsai Community must know or suspect who is behind this ??
If not, lets hope the thieves try and sell on to a Nursery who are well aware by now of the theft.

By making the collection and theft "PUBLIC" - it now seriously de-values the haul and those responsible will probably be best to leave outside the nearest police station in the dead of night !!!! I'm sure Stewart will be glad to have them back and take no further action.

Ian.

Aaron_K

Hi Ian,

I'm wondering if local newspapers or even regional TV news stations would be interested in carrying the story? The more publicity and exposure the incident gets, the harder it will be for the thieving S.O.B.'s to pass these trees on.

Irene I couldn't agree with you more. Unfortunately, if caught and brought to justice, they would most likely receive a £50 fine and 2 weeks community service . Real criminals like these get DNA tested and held on the UK Police national database, locked up and interrogated for ..... climbing a tree to build a treehouse But I digress.

All the best,

Aaron

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Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Muriel Strode

Vulpes pilum mutat, non mores!

"A fox may change its skin but never its character"

Lee

I've got to admit i'm totally perplexed by this the tree is TOO well known to ever be shown again,yet judging by the initial report on the ibc it was done by people with bonsai knowledge.This tree could simply never be shown again in the world ever,and any nursery/horticultural centre is going to smell a rat because this tree is obviously very valuable,and wouldnt be sold to them.My heart goes out to him i cant imagine how bad it feels,but it makes you worry.