Property found

[Juliet1564]

I recently moved to a new house with a completely overgrown front garden. On clearing this jungle I discovered a large, bronze bell close to the front hedge. The markings on the bell indicate it came either from the village church or the former Victorian village school (now a private home, with an empty bell housing on the end of the roof). My neighbour tells me that the school closed in the mid-60s. The evidence seems to point to the bell having been stolen and, for whatever reason, dumped in my garden. May I keep the bell? May I sell the bell? Should I give it back to the owners of the old school, who, I am told, have been there for only a couple of years. Is the bell treasure trove? What is the legal position?

[bushbaby_de]

It still belongs to the school if it was stolen from there and you should offer it back to them. If they claimed for it on their insurance, it actually belongs to the insurance company. Its not treasure trove as you know where it came from!

[Juliet1564]

Thanks, Bushbaby. I assumed that would be the case, but wasn't sure. The next problem is, which school!! My own inclination is to give it to the current owners of the old school house, because there is a rather sad empty housing with no bell in it, but my understanding is that they bought the building sans bell. I think the first port of call would be the new school, as that is the same continuing education authority and they would probably know if there is an insurance issue. They may even be able to give me the definitive answer as to whether or not I have correctly identified it!