'Disgust and heartbreak' as memorial bench to Ayrshire cycling legend is stolen from beauty spot

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Community figures have been left ‘disgusted’ and 'heartbroken' after a memorial bench to an Ayrshire cycling legend was stolen and the site vandalised.The hand-crafted memorial bench, dedicated to former Ayrshire Post cycling correspondent, David Bell, was snatched some time last week.And the site of the memorial, at Rowantree Toll, has also been damaged.

The bench was only unveiled in April this year to commemorate the life of David.At the time, a gathering of cyclists from Ayr Roads/Arnold Clark CC and Ayr Burners were joined by members of the public at the unveiling, near Barr.The Memorial Cairn itself was erected by public subscriptions in memory of David E T Bell, also known at ‘The Highwayman,’ who for many years contributed cycling articles to the Post.Davie’s articles are contained in two books, the first of which (The Highwayman) was published by the Post in 1970 and the second (The Highwayman Again) in 1987.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now.Get all the local news in your area – plus features, football news and the latest on the coronavirus crisis – at your fingertips 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories while you can customise your page with the sections that matter to you.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now on iOS and Android.The Memorial Cairn is visited by thousands each year and its stunning location at the crossroads of Rowantree and the Nick o’ Balloch and said to be a ‘fitting site’ for The Highwayman, who loved the hills of South Ayrshire and Galloway.Ayr Roads CC stalwart Arnold Thomson said: “Members of the South Ayrshire communities of Straiton and Barr were disgusted to learn of the theft of the Memorial Bench to the late