THE Stanley Spencer Gallery is ploughing ahead with its 50th anniversary celebrations despite the recent theft of one of its paintings.
Cookham from Englefield, pictured, was stolen on April 29.
The money value of the piece is not known, though suggestions in the national media it could fetch £1m are vastly inflated, the Free Press understands.
The owner Sue Elsdon last week appealed for its return and told of the huge significance it has for her family.
Despite what volunteers at the gallery have called a 'state of bereavement' over the crime, a celebratory concert, marking 50 years since it opened, will take place on Saturday night at The Odney Club.
It features live music and poetry that inspired Cookham's own Sir Stanley It starts at 7pm.
Tickets cost £10 from The Stationery Depot, Station Rise, Cookham, The Stanley Spencer Gallery, Maura Carr on 01628 530181 or maura.carr@dsl.pipex.com.
