‘Paraffin’ plaque turns up in hedge

A PLAQUE dedicated to the memory of James “Paraffin” Young has been found lying in a hedge more than a month after it was stolen from a Lothian museum.

The plaque was presented by the Royal Society of Chemistry to the Bennie Museum in Bathgate, West Lothian, but it was stolen just days after it was attached to the wall in Mansefield Street.

A member of the public found the plaque in Balbardie Avenue yesterday and handed it in to police. Officers are still investigating the theft, which took place between May 19 and 20.

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A police spokesman said: “The museum will undoubtedly be delighted at the return of the plaque. Anyone with information that can assist police with their investigation is asked to contact police immediately.”

Young discovered that paraffin oil could be distilled from cannel coal, which led to the first commercial production of it in 1850.

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