It is with great regret to say that on Sunday morning when I eventually arose I discovered that my Primus multi-fuel stove was not in the 'barn', neither was my Ortleib water carrier. Replacement value for the two items @�200.
Q. Did anyone see the stove on Sunday morning as I was last to bed @4 in the morning?.
Two lads had come onto the site and were having a beer with myself and Stumpy. One got a bit silly and Stumpy marched him off the farm, I recon it was one of them.
I have never had anything taken either from my tent or nearby in 40 odd years of camping.
The kettle was left so I doubt it would be any of the Pinkertons crowd and I do not in any way expect that it could be any person in the XT crowd.
I am absolutely shocked and dismayed that my space has been violated, it's not so much the cost but the fact that someone has come onto the site and stolen something.
I have to go back and confront those two scumbags as if they get away with this type of behaviour and do it again the site will have a problem. If they cannot ensure that the site is safe it could ruin their business as this information will eventually get out. I have mentioned this to Sam and her husband and they gave me a rough idea as to where they live. They had better get to them before I do!

Not only that I do feel embarrased that I have invited you lot to a site that is not as secure as I expected and if other items have gone AWOL then I feel partly to blame. Who would want to attend any other meets that I might organise if I cannot guarantee some sort of security.

I just needed to explain what has happened and how I feel.

I big anticlimax to a brilliant weekend.

In fact I am so incensed that I will be going back for some time with my bike in my van and will track those lads down. I will not mention what I have in mind, but I can assure you lot that It will not be pleasant!

Steve.

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If I'm not working, I'll be

So sorry to hear about that Steve, a big downer on an otherwise great weekend.
Thanks again for all the hard work / effort you put into the meeting.

What a bu99er! I hope you manage to find and exact some revenge on the toe-rags responsible. The last thing anyone wants when out camping is to be living in fear that your gear is going to go AWOL.

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sorry to head this steve, I never once felt like the site wasn't secure but then again when you've had a few and at 4am plus who knows what goes on apart from security cameras. I just hope the scum that take these things get what they are due.

if it's any use I have an old msr dragon fly petrol stove in Northern Ireland, bought it ages ago second hand, tried it once or twice, has minor leak at a seal of the bottle but just needs a replacement. yours for the cost of a pint the next time we are at a pub

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Plough on

i am gutted for you steve that some scum bag would stoop so low ,but thanks once again for such a fantastic weekend sorry this unfortunate thing had to happen to such a sound bloke ,from the stoke boys

Sorry to hear of your theft , please don't feel embarrassed I'm sure I speak for all of us in saying we all had a great weekend at a great location thanks to you. Don't let some a..hole spoil that .
I have a new Coleman sportster stove you can have for now , just let me know and I'll post it up to you.

Heck that is so unfair after all the hard work you did, setting it all up and arranging such a brilliant weekend for everyone. May justice prevail. I'd rather not add the words I'm thinking now.

SteveD this is a very unpleasant situation you've had to endure, but I read in your words that you mention, who will trust me or one of my organized events... and I need to stop you there and reassure you that no way this could have been your fault.

I was not there in person but for what I have read in the Wales 2015 ride section what you and the lads organized was top notch, everyone has thoroughly enjoyed themselves and for a turnout of 25+ riders, this cannot have been other than a successful event. I congratulate you and so do the chaps that attended.

Perhaps next year, you could speak with the site owners to some sort of loss insurance even if it cost a few pennies more. That way they could refund the value of stolen property and of course they've got to hire the site to more sensible people and not a bunch of piss artists.

Once again sorry this has happened to you and I would suggest to all those who attended if they would be prepared to do a whip around in order to recover the value of �200 that SteveD has lost, �200 less my own contribution of �50 = �150 / 25 that would be �6 per head.

Do you all agree to contribute to this? if so I suggest SteveD let us have his paypal account here and everyone drops him �6.00 and I will contribute my �50

Deal?

I am also more than willing to contribute.

well that's 3 of us so far, where's the other 23?