Vandal-hit cricket club bowled over by community support
VANDALS caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage smashing their way into Paultons cricket pavilion – but frustrated club officials have been warmed by donors coming forward.
The perpetrators threw a brick through five windows at the building in Whitemoor Lane, Ower, early last Thursday morning, doing £400 worth of damage in the process.
They took the bar till, worth £60, but abandoned it outside after smashing it open and finding it empty.
The “mindless” actions were lamented by club secretary, Nicola Lamb, who told the A&T it was the second time it has been targeted in the first two weeks.
“It seems to be never-ending – it’s just so frustrating,” she said.
When the latest incident happened a neighbour of the club called police. Officers got to the scene shortly afterwards and searched cars but did not find the suspects.
Paulton Cricket Club is now considering installing CCTV, Mrs Lamb added.
But while Mrs Lamb condemned those behind the latest incident, she praised the reaction of local people, adding: “It has shown the local community do care, and we’ve gone from feeling frustration to faith in human kindness.
“We put the pictures on social media and people got in touch, suggesting crowdfunding to raise the money, while one Paultons CC member donated £600 towards the rebuilding work.
“Two other people donated over £550 – one of them £450 – and we also have a skittles evening on 14th March, with people sharing the details of the event online and buying tickets to raise money for the club, so that aspect has been really, really good.”
A Hampshire police spokesman said: “We are investigating a report of windows being smashed and a till damaged at Paultons CC between 5.30am and 5.40am on Thursday 20th February.
“Nothing has been reported as stolen and no money was being kept in the till. Anyone with information can call 101, quoting 44200064651.”
Anyone interested in tickets for the Paultons CC skittles night should visit the club’s Facebook page.
