The residents and the mayor of Barbezières, in Charente, still don't believe it. One of the stone wells in their town was stolen. Known for its numerous wells, which represent its heritage, the town is incomprehensible.
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For several days, in the village of Barbezières, in Charente, there has been astonishment. “Here, before, there was a stone well with a coping and we found just a hole.“Faced with the hole left by the disappearance of one of the many wells in the town of 131 inhabitants, Mayor Sylvie Boizumault does not understand.”In my opinion, it's not the first thing we're going to steal“, she expresses.
Friday, December 20 in the morning, a farmer mows in his fields in Barbezières. When suddenly he realizes that the historic well located not far from his field is no longer there. “He called me directlysays Sylvie Boizumault. Immediately, I called the police to report it and they came to find that the well was no longer there.“
Now the well is secure, because the thieves left the gaping hole. Although no person interviewed was able to date the stone well, both the mayor and the residents affirm that it is a historic architectural element. “There are plenty of them here, in almost every houseassures Annie Garraud, a resident who has a well in her garden. Wells are our heritage. I was born here and before, they were the ones who provided all the water.“
Like everyone else, Annie Garraud has difficulty understanding. “I didn't even think it was possible to steal a well, because with the weight it must represent… Now I watch mine“, she exclaims.
But then why steal a stone well? According to Mayor Sylvie Boizumault, it is “either for personal use or for the resale of stones and coping.“A gendarmerie investigation is open. Despite this, the councilor fears that he will not be able to find the historic well of his village. She still launches an appeal to thieves: “If they should have any regrets, they can always report it!“
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