Fundraiser launched for Hungerford beekeeper whose business was destroyed by vandals

A COMMUNITY is rallying round a Hungerford beekeeper after his business was destroyed by vandals.

A fundraising page has been set up to try to get Rod Smith back on his feet.

Sarah Soles, who established the fundraiser, wrote: “I am fundraising for local beekeeper Rod Smith, who sadly had all his equipment vandalised.

“He supplies local restaurants and gastropubs in the area and also uses the hives as an educational tool and donates honey to local schools.

“Rod is a very well known member of the community and I'm sure everyone will be happy to support getting him some new equipment.

“Please help by sharing or donating if you can.”

The site was launched after the Newbury Weekly News and sister website newburytoday.co.uk revealed how the vandalism attack was likely to spell the end of a local cottage industry.

Thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to equipment stored in a cabin on land at Eddington.

Mr Smith said at the time: “I just don’t have the money to replace everything.

“It’s heartbreaking – they smashed everything.”

He added later that, when he learned of the fundraising effort, “it actually put a lump in my throat; I didn’t expect this.”

If you would like to help Mr Smith get his small business up and running again, go here: https://bit.ly/3MwoO18

Meanwhile police are investigating the incident.

If anyone has any information they should contact the neighbourhood police team via the non emergency 101 number and quote crime reference 43230192836.

Alternatively the independent Crimestoppers charity can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.