Boxted: Widow's plea for return of stolen momentos

Mary Pugh's husband of 46 years, George, died last September and she was in a town centre shop buying a plaque for his memorial garden when her purse disappeared.

In it was a copy of the poem Footprints, which was read at his funeral, a "lovely" photograph of him, pension, shop and bank cards and about £45 in cash.

Mrs Pugh, of Straight Road, Boxted, said: "I don't care about the money. I hope it helped whoever took it on their way. But I would dearly love to get the poem and photograph back."

The 66-year-old had nothing but praise for members of the public who helped her in her distress.

She said she had paid for the plaque in the Swag Shop and believed she put her purse on the counter while she put the box in her shopping bag.

She left the shop and walked to the bus stop in Head Street before realising her purse was missing.

"I rushed back as quickly as I could but I am not too good on my feet. About half way there outside a little cafe I put my bag down and leant against the wall.

"Two women sitting in the window of the cafe came out and asked if I was all right. I told them what had happened and said I felt terrible. They took me into the cafe and used their mobile phone to try to contact my daughter-in-law but she was out.

"I didn't ask their names but they couldn't have been kinder to me."

Mrs Pugh said the women walked her back to the bus stop where she would meet people she knew who travelled on the same bus.

"One of the villagers got off the bus before her stop to see me home safe and sound and it was only then that my legs started to go," she said.

She said she hoped whoever took her purse read the poem and saw the photograph in their haste to get at the money.

"On a happier note, I would like to thank all those who came to my assistance," she said.

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