Cricket club hosts first event since pavilion fire

Carl Wright, captain of Bures & District Cricket Club, thanked people for providing the club with equipment

A cricket club has hosted its first event following a suspected arson attack on its thatched pavilion.

Suffolk Police is investigating after the 180-year-old building at Bures & District Cricket Club in Bures St Mary caught fire on Tuesday at about 23:30 BST.

Neighbouring clubs, Cavendish and Leavenheath, provided the team with equipment for the event on Saturday after the pavilion was destroyed in the blaze.

Club captain Carl Wright said: "We are really grateful for the support and help we are getting and we would do the same for anyone."

The devastating fire led to the club losing a vast amount of equipment

Bures United Football Club had also offered its own clubhouse and changing rooms for the foreseeable future.

Mr Wright said the community had been affected by the fire as the building held a lot of "memories inside", including pictures and players' belongings.

"Everyone is absolutely devastated," he added.

The team has even received a message of support from an Australian cricket club that had previously visited.

The club said it would look to rebuild the pavilion through fundraising

Prior to the fire, plans were already in place for the end-of-year presentation and inter-squad match with a barbecue on Saturday.

About 30 people attended, with 16 of those joining in to play cricket for the first time since the incident.

"As a club we want to thank everyone in the community for all your help, generosity, help and support," Mr Wright said.

Mr Wright said the event marked a "new start" for the club as it continued to fundraise for the new building.

Suffolk Police said inquiries into the fire were still ongoing.