Callous thieves have stolen new audio equipment worth thousands of pounds from an iconic double decker bus only days after a member of the clergy performed a blessing ceremony on it.
The beautifully restored vintage Atlantean Double Decker bus was blessed by the Vicar of Holy Island’s, St Mary’s Church, Reverend Dr Paul Collins to welcome it to its new home with guided tour music and movie memorabilia company, TyneIdols.
However, only hours before picking up the first of a packed bus of music lovers to take them to Holy Island to see Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell perform their stage show The Lindisfarne Story, it was discovered that thieves had broken into the bus which was housed in a secure storage compound near Earsdon on North Tyneside.
The thieves took around £3500 worth of amplifiers, speakers and sound systems, which had just been fitted to the bus. Seats were damaged too leaving the TyneIdols team only minutes to clean up the mess, fit alternative sound equipment and pick up their waiting passengers.
Ex Lindisfarne drummer Ray Laidlaw is a partner in TyneIdols and his disappointment had to be kept in check as he performed to around 250 people on Holy Island.
“ It’s very ironic that our business is about making people happy by helping them to remember their personal good times in rock’n’roll and the cinema. These callous thieves have tried to spoil that enjoyment for others but ‘the show must go on’ so I’m pleased to say that the bus journey went ahead as planned and every one had a great time.”
Now, North Tyneside Council and Keir have stepped in to help the TyneIdols team by allocating a secure parking space for the yellow and cream double-decker.
Steve Bishop, Senior Manager, Cultural Services for North Tyneside Council was delighted to help.
“The TyneIdols team is an important part of the region’s culture. They attract visitors to the region and give a very positive impression of the North East’s entertainment industry. The bus will be a welcome visitor to one of our secure compounds.”
The next public TyneIdols tour will be at the Mouth of The Tyne Festival and Ray Laidlaw apologised for its non-appearance at the Wallsend Festival.
“We are fitting new sound systems at the weekend and that clashes with the Wallsend Festival. I had to smile when I realised that the bus had been blessed by a vicar, violated by a sinner and then saved by a Bishop.”
Ends
Photo Shows Ray and Steve with the bus
More information from
Press and media enquires – Keith Newman Highlights PR 07814 397951