Silver gift is found up for sale; THEFT INQUIRY

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Nov 11, 2008

Byline: By PETER YOUNG Political Editor

HOW a silver jug presented to Newcastle City Council by a senior councillor ended up at an auction house, is being probed.

Sir Jeremy Beecham made the gift to the council as a token of appreciation when he was made an honorary freeman of the city in 1995.

The small cream jug was kept at the city's Mansion House, official residence of the city's Lord Mayor, and was used at coffee mornings and other functions.

But Sir Jeremy was astonished to learn the jug had been sold at auction and was bought by an antique dealer.

In an amazing coincidence, a friend and council colleague, David Slesenger, later spotted the jug when he visited an antiques fair.

Coun Slesenger bought it and returned it to the council.

It's now gone back to the Mansion House and embarrassed council officials have apologised to Sir Jeremy.

They believe the jug may have been stolen and an investigation has been launched.

Sir Jeremy, who was Labour leader of the council for 17 years until 1994 and was made an honorary freeman in recognition of his 'eminent and outstanding service' to the city, said the gift was a small gesture of his appreciation.

"I'm only happy that it's been returned," he said. "It really was an incredible coincidence that David Slesenger spotted it. I only hope the council gets to the bottom of it." Coun Anita Lower, chairman of the Mansion House Trust advisory committee, ruled out the possibility that the jug may have been included by mistake with other items which were sent to the auction house.

Several items considered to be surplus such as old trophies, cutlery and crockery were sold last year to help raise money for the upkeep of the old building, in Jesmond.

In the case of gifts, the donors were contacted first and Coun Lower said: "Everything that went to the sale was carefully checked.

"I'm absolutely delighted we've got it back and can only apologise to Sir Jeremy. We are concerned that it went missing without being noticed. My personal view is that it was removed from the Mansion House.

"Procedures have now been tightened."

CAPTION(S):

KEEPSAKE: Sir Jeremy Beecham