Future of 122-year-old club in doubt after vandal attack
‘WANTON DESTRUCTION’ AT CRICKET PAVILION
THE future of a village cricket club founded in the 19th century is in doubt after vandals broke into its pavilion and went on a “frenzy of wanton destruction”.
Braybrooke Cricket Club has been a fixture of village life since 1898, somewhere generations of cricketers have met up to enjoy their sport and socialise.
But the club has been left reeling after vandals smashed up the pavilion housing cricket gear and equipment, changing rooms, a function room and kitchen.
Treasurer Wally Panter, who has been involved with the club for the past 50 years, said emotions were running high in the wake of the attack.
“We’ve had one or two isolated incidents of vandalism over the years, but nothing on this scale,” said the 82-year-old. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Whoever it was has completely turned the place over and utterly wrecked both the inside and outside of the pavilion.”
The first sign of trouble happened last Tuesday, June 9.
Wally said: “The farmer who owns the field, which is off Desborough Road, got in touch with me to say someone had smashed one of the windows.
“I went down there and saw it was badly cracked, but was still in the window frame.
“Then, on Friday afternoon, I got another call to say it looked like they’d been back. The farmer said he’d been down there at 11am and nothing had changed, but when he returned at 2pm, the placed had been trashed.”
He added: “The doors had been kicked in and the windows put through. There were also holes in the decking of the verandah where people sit to watch the matches.
“Inside was a scene of utter destruction – all the cupboards and chests of drawers had been pulled over and their contents scattered all over the floor.
“The settees were damaged and they’d thrown cricket balls about the place.
“Rolls of plastic sheeting were unravelled and plates from the kitchen were wedged in the plasterboard of the walls – they must have been using them as frisbees or something.
“And all this damage was done in just a few hours - it was a frenzy of wanton destruction, there’s no other way to describe it.”
Wally said one of the lawnmowers used to tend to the cricket square and field had also been stolen, but nothing else appeared to have been taken.
“I can’t tell you just how angry I am,” he said.
The incident was reported to police and forensic officers were sent to examine the scene.
The pavilion was erected in the late 1970s after the being purchased from a cricket club in Leicester.
“Volunteers and cricketers brought it down to Market Harborough piece by piece and reassembled it in the village,” said Mr Panter.
“It’s a large space, with a lovely kitchen, changing rooms and a function room where we hold bingo nights and family events.”
Friendly matches are played at the club on Sundays through the summer.
Wally said: “My son and I spent a day clearing up all the damage and we’ve got someone coming down to give us a quote for the repairs.
“Unfortunately we were not able to insure the building due to the costs involved. We are a small community club but don’t have the numbers we used to.”
He added: “We’re going to have a meeting to decide if it’s worth us carrying on. With all the coronavirus stuff going on and now this, that’s where we are now.
“It would be a huge shame. We want to continue but need to make sure the support from the community is still there.”