A brass plaque that was stolen from a beloved bear statue in York has mysteriously reappeared after being missing for exactly one year. The plaque was taken from the bear sculpture located in Chalfonts, a cul-de-sac off Tadcaster Road, on November 5 last year, but residents discovered it had returned to its original location earlier this week.
The recovered plaque commemorates an Award for Good Design that was granted by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government during the 1960s when the housing estate was first constructed. The brass marker serves as a historical record of the neighborhood's architectural recognition and has significant meaning for local residents who consider the bear statue a cherished community landmark.
City of York Councillor Stephen Fenton expressed his relief and gratitude over the plaque's return to what he called its "rightful place." He said: "It was desperately sad to see an important and much-loved piece of local history ripped away. It's fantastic that someone seems to have done the decent thing and returned it so that it can be put back where it belongs."
When the theft originally occurred last year, North Yorkshire Police issued a public appeal for information, describing the bear statue as a "prominent and much-loved local landmark" in their effort to recover the stolen item. The incident had deeply affected residents of the quiet residential area, who had grown attached to both the statue and its historical significance.
The Chalfonts housing development was built during the 1960s, but the reason behind the bear statue's placement in this particular residential area remains a mystery that has puzzled locals for decades. Speaking about the statue's enigmatic presence after the plaque's initial disappearance last year, Councillor Fenton had noted: "It's one of these strange stories that no-one knows why. The bear looks sad and lonely but it's a striking statue."
The return of the plaque brings closure to a community that had been mourning the loss of this piece of local heritage, though it remains unclear who took the plaque or what motivated them to return it after a full year.
