The charity operating The Celtic Barn in Waipu suffered inconvenience and cost after the business' two 45kg LPG cylinders were stolen one night in November. Photo / NZME
The charity operating The Celtic Barn in Waipu suffered inconvenience and cost after the business' two 45kg LPG cylinders were stolen one night in November. Photo / NZME
A Waipu charity says central Whangārei businesses are not the only ones being hurt by the theft of 45kg LPG cylinders.
Both 45kg LPG cylinders were taken from The Celtic Barn on the night of November 19.
The two cylinders were secured with a lock and chain but the chainwas cut with bolt cutters, said Annie Everson-Dawn, chairwoman of Waipu Caledonian Charitable Trust, which runs the barn.
The thieves took their opportunity on a wet and stormy night, she said.
The theft was “a huge inconvenience” and cost for the non-profit charitable trust, which relies on weekly hire fees, events and grants to make ends meet, Everson-Dawn said.
Central Whangārei business Pure Cafe earlier sent out a warning to other businesses to secure their cylinders after it had one stolen from behind a locked pool gate on November 26.
Gas & Tyre Whangārei store manager Greg Dolan said he had heard of the thefts becoming a problem and four customers’ cylinders had been stolen in the past four months.
The thefts appear to be impacting all parts of Whangārei district, including Waipu, said Everson-Dawn.
The theft from the Celtic Barn at Waipu was inconvenient and disruptive for the well-used hall, including frustrating the caterer who hires the kitchen, she said.
The Celtic Barn is popular during weekdays and used for events like funerals. Photo / NZME
It cost the trust about $1200 to replace the cylinders and gas, and install a security cage, but the cost is not worth claiming on insurance due to a $2500 excess, Everson-Dawn said.
The Celtic Barn is used almost every night of the week for the likes of pickleball, basketball and netball, and it also hosts events like weddings, funerals and retreats, she said.
Overheads cost around $1400 a week and, despite the full programme of use, the barn relies on grants to help cover large maintenance projects, Everson-Dawn said.
The stealing of the gas cylinders were the first time the Celtic Barn has been targeted by thieves, she said.
A security light has been installed and the venue’s operators are getting a substantial discount from Auckland-based company the Safety Cabinet Warehouse to install a security cage around the gas cylinders.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
