AN ANGRY pub landlord has slammed the 'yobs' who maliciously lit a bonfire two weeks ahead of a party to raise money for Harefield Hospital.
Don McCallion, 76, who runs the Horse & Barge in Moor Hall Road, Harefield, spent months arranging the event, due to take place on November 9, and asking people to donate their rubbish, which saw the bonfire reach an impressive 12ft.
But his plans were foiled after intruders lit the bonfire at around 1am on Saturday, when the pub was closed.
Mr McCallion said: "We had been shut for about half an hour when we noticed the whole thing was up in flames. The pub and the garden were both locked so it could not have been an accident – someone broke in deliberately to light the bonfire.
"We don't know who it was but we haven't complained to the police – they have more important things to deal with than a bunch of yobs. We were just a few pallets short of completing the bonfire, which is very frustrating. Luckily, we still have time to re-build it and we are determined to make it even bigger and better, but I got pub staff involved to help out so that's going to cost twice as much as I thought.
"We put posters up about the party so everyone knew it was for a good cause, and I just don't understand how people could be so cruel. My son, Karl, and I have been running the pub since April but I also ran it for 13 years from 1989 to 2002, and I have never known anything like this to happen.
"All the hard work and effort has gone to waste at the hands of morons and everyone here is shocked and absolutely furious."
Did you see who lit the fire that night? Contact reporter Siba Matti on 07788 567259 or email sibamatti@trinitysouth.co.uk.
