QEHS left ‘devastated’ after thieves strike historic building

SCRUPULOUS thieves have struck College House at Gainsborough’s Queen Elizabeth’s High School - after thousands of pounds have been raised to save the building.

After months of time and effort to save and restore the historic part of the former Grammar School in Gainsborough, thieves struck within just seven hours of the scaffolding going up to repair the roof on the evening of Tuesday 3rd January.

The thieves cut through chains and padlocks to gain access before making off with over 200 metres of lead, escaping in a vehicle via Little Belt Road.

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“This is a devastating blow to the efforts of the team at Save College House who saved the 150-year-old building from being demolished by Lincolnshire Council last spring,” said committee chairman Gordon Tulley.

“They had raised enough cash to secure the weather-proofing of the roof by raising cash and obtaining support from local businesses, the support of the Gainsborough Breakfast club, Rilmac and individuals such as Tim Daniels - who personally raised £1,500 with his daughter on a marathon charity golf day, helping to secure £25,000 worth of remedial work to the building.”

Now, the Save College House Committee need your help, once again.

Gordon added: “Also, we now urgently need help and ideas on how to raise money to cover the estimated £10,000 cost of repairing all this damage.”

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“Because we are in the middle of signing over the property from Lincolnshire County Council to the charity, we are trying to clarify where we stand with insurance, but we know in any case there will be a £1,000 excess we need to find.”

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: “This was a terrible theft that has struck a community project.”

“We would urge anyone with any information to please come forward.”

Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious or has any info, can call Lincs Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.