Cricket club unifies after pavilion burns down

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service was called to the cricket club late on Tuesday night

A cricket club said it was "more important than ever" for its community to come together after a fire destroyed their 180-year sports pavilion.

Police are investigating suspected arson after a thatched pavilion caught fire at Bures & District Cricket Club in Bures St Mary, Suffolk, on Tuesday at about 23:30 BST.

Prior to the fire, the club had planned an end of year presentation and inter-squad match with a barbecue on Saturday which would continue to go ahead.

Luke Terry, 34, vice captain and committee member said the event would showcase the club's strength and resilience.

Luke Terry said emotions had been high after the fire earlier in the week

"We very briefly discussed what we were going to do and absolutely everyone on the committee unanimously agreed that we will do it," Mr Terry said.

"It's important to evidence that we're not down and out and that it's a massive disaster, but we need to stick together and keep going.

"There are a lot of people that have been involved with the club for generations and their parents and grandparents played there.

"It's been a very emotional time for a lot of people, not just at the club but in the village."

The pavilion had stood at the club for 180 years

A spokesperson for Suffolk Police said enquiries into the fire were still ongoing.

The club will look to rebuild the pavilion following the police investigation, Mr Terry said.

He added that the club had received huge support from people far and wide, including support from neighbouring clubs Cavendish and Leavenheath which had given them equipment for Saturday's event.

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

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

Mr Terry said the club was hugely appreciative and had even received contact from an Australian cricket club that had previously visited them.

"They mentioned how amazing the pavilion and the surrounding area was and they've reached out offering their condolences," he added.

"It's one of those occasions where even in the middle of all of this, in the midst of the disaster, you've got this strength of character of the people around you which is amazing and we need to use all of that and come back as a community."