"Stan Weeks was born at Cardiff just three weeks after the Battle of Britain ended. During his childhood his father (WW2 RAF ground crew – elsewhere than Kent) would enthrall him with tales of Biggin Hill and the Battle of Britain.  Stan later became a mechanical engineering apprentice at Woolwich Arsenal and a resident of the apprentice hostel at Chislehurst.  He soon discovered his proximity to Biggin Hill and made numerous visits to the airfield – each one taking him past that highly conspicuous teapot.  It was whilst reading a book about the history of Biggin Hill airfield that he learnt of the teapot's acquisition by the RFC & RAF in both world wars.  This left him in no doubt whatsoever - he just had to associate himself with the history of that famous teapot and there was only one way to do it – he was going to have to organise his own private raiding party!"

Stan Weeks

(from left to right) Olly Hulf (conspirator), Pete Hing (conspirator), Patrick 'Paddy' Parry, CliveTattersall, Mick Belcher (conspirator), Stan Weeks  (conspirator), 'Gos' Gausby & Barry Martin

On Friday, 21^st, April, 1961 Stan, Pete, Mick & Olly paid a visit to the teapot to photograph it in situ before its disappearance some 6 hours later.  This enabled them to observe that the teapot was bolted to the top of the pedestal - little obstacle for engineering apprentices to overcome.  Under cover of darkness they returned, climbed the pedestal, swiftly unscrewed the bolts, placed the teapot in the back of Pete Hing’s van and promptly made off with it to Coed Bel.

It was never intended to permanently deprive the owners of their teapot. The objective was to borrow it, re-paint it, photograph it and then return it.  The teapot was re-united with its owner within days and Stan Weeks personally apologised to them for anxiety and inconvenience caused.  He explained that he had simply ‘borrowed’ the teapot for the sole purpose of associating himself with its fascinating history.