Ainsty Castings Robbed!

[Dragonsreach]

As some people might recall I've been a longtime fan of Ainsty castings and have a fair few bits and pieces of theirs so it was with some disgust that I found out about this:

While preparing for his weekend shows, Andy Lyon of Ainsty's van was robbed:

"All my boxes of show stock are gone, all my display models and figures are gone and all my boxed pieces for on the bottom of the racks are gone. Two racks of blistered minis are gone too."
It has a substantial retail value plus is about a years worth of stock that he's built up. It was stolen near Market Rasen in Lincolnshire.
If anyone sees Ainsty, Crooked Dice and Rogue Miniatures blisters for sale on the cheap can they let Andy know.

http://www.ainsty-castings.co.uk/


Now as hobbists we all want a bargain but helping yourselves just takes the P*ss.
Keep your eyes peeled and if possible drop ANDY an email if you spot any iffy gear. (plus drop us a warning as well!)

 

[10 ball]

If they were just after the van, they might just dump the stock not realising it's value.
I don't know if thats better or worse ?

 

[freakinacage]

Firstly a massive thank you for all the messages of support from everyone. It was hard yesterday morning to get in the van and drive off to the show with what I had left of the show stock but I am so glad that I did. I was overwhelmed by the response of both my fellow traders and my regular and some new customers who I spoke to yesterday, some of whom I am sure bought things that they really didn't intend to, or even really needed!


I have lost the majority of my show stock, a fair proportion of the framework of my stand and most galling, all of the painted display models which formed the centrepiece of my display. Some of these belonged to Mike Brooks, and are totally irreplaceable. The recent ones which have been painted by myself and Jon (Dags) can be re-done but the ones touched by Mikes hand will leave a permanent hole in the Ainsty Heart.


Two points of good news. This in no way effects my ability to carry on (or my resolve to) and orders are not effected as the show stock, although being the majority of my castings and have taken a year to build to the levels I had, are purely taken to shows and stock for orders are kept separate and made as required. Orders will remain unaffected and again thank you for orders placed this weekend while I am away at two shows. These will be fulfilled when I get back.


When I discovered the empty van I had that hollow feeling that all was lost for a while, only natural you will agree. However it is the responses that I have seen combined with people's comments and gestures yesterday that have brought me close to tears. A huge thank you to Karl, Jon and others who have driven this awareness and the community which I am proud to be a part of are now on the lookout for this stuff turning up in the future.


Ainsty will be around for as long as I have breath and I am looking forward to wowing people with the models for many years to come

knicked from frothers

 

[airhead]

Thieves are the lowest form of life.

Taking a man's hard earned livleyhood....:curse!:

 

[uglybug]

So was the van robbed when they were loading it, going to the show at a pit stop, or when they arrived at the show? And who is mike brooks? Having seen other vendors cars and vans at shows I could see how some thief would think he is going to make a major score. All those boxes with packing material it's got to be something that the pawn shop would buy to score some drug money. Glad he is still able to stay in business.

 

[supervike]

So was the van robbed when they were loading it, going to the show at a pit stop, or when they arrived at the show? And who is mike brooks? Having seen other vendors cars and vans at shows I could see how some thief would think he is going to make a major score. All those boxes with packing material it's got to be something that the pawn shop would buy to score some drug money. Glad he is still able to stay in business.

Mike Brooks was the original owner of Ainsty. I only dealt with him one time on an order, a very pleasant experience. He was spoken of highly in every forum I've heard his named discussed.

He sadly passed away a few years ago after a terrible illness, so when Andy says those items are irreplaceable, he means it.

 

[Dragonsreach]

And who is mike brooks?

I'm pleased to say that I met Mike Brooks and his lovely wife a number of times and he was the epitome of a model enthusiast. They used to get to a lot of UK shows, usually accompanied by their West Highland Terriers who would sleep contentedly under the stall.
Nothing was a problem to Mike, and if he hadn't one of whatever in stock with him you got it post free and usually with a bonus something thrown in.

The Fact that a lot of the stuff that was stolen was originally painted by Mike is something that is somewhat distateful to me as I know what little chance there is of recovering these pieces.