Aussie band targeted by thieves in Chester thanks the good samaritans who came to their rescue

Jun 24 2009 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

AN AUSSIE band have paid tribute to the people of Chester for coming to their rescue after their guitars, amps and passports were stolen.

Kind souls donated items such as guitars after grunge group Mayfield appealed for help when their van, containing £25,000 worth of equipment, was taken from Hoole Hall Hotel in the middle of their 2007 UK tour.

The band have now recognised that goodwill on the CD cover of their latest album Mayfield III.

The blurb reads: “To the people of Chester (UK), who donated equipment to us after our tour van was stolen and burned on our 2007 UK tour. You showed us that true kindness still exists in society when we had all but given up. Thank you.”

Lee Parker, known as “Latch”, who runs a recording studio in Warrington, remembers how depressed the young musicians felt after their experience.

Lee, who loaned equipment and let them sleep on the studio floor at the time, contacted The Chronicle to let everyone know how their kindness had been acknowledged.

“I thought it was a lovely thing to do,” said Lee, who also gets a mention on the cover.

The van was taken from Hoole Hall Hotel car park and later found burnt-out in St Helens. Anything the thieves did not want was thrown in the fire.

Drummer Sam Knight said at the time: “We’re devastated. We had our whole lives and imported it over here at massive expense. We’re totally self-funded. We’re not on a record label and we were living in the van.”

The grunge band, Mayfield, were only four shows in to their 35-date schedule. The three-man band and their manager had bought the van in Britain before travelling to Chester to visit relatives. They padlocked the side and rear doors but still the thieves broke in.