Club will not be defeated (From Witney Gazette)

Club will not be defeated

9:07am Wednesday 1st August 2007 in Witney By David Horne

A CRICKET club devastated by floodwaters has set up an emergency fund to get through the rest of this season and rebuild for the future.

Charlbury CC decided on urgent action at a club meeting in the town's Bell Hotel because the pavilion is unsafe.

Surging waters from the River Evenlode virtually submerged the pavilion and equipment shed last month, and left both playing surfaces under water.

Offers of help from other clubs have come in, including the temporary use of their grounds when available. Great Tew's club has offered two spare mowers.

Paul Jenkins, the emergency fund co-ordinator, said: "The machinery and pavilion are likely to be completely unusable for the rest of the season at best."

The fund has been set up because the club is in a floodplain and expects to have a significant shortfall through its insurance cover of the full cost of repairing the damage.

Mr Jenkins added: "We have been deeply touched by both the sentiment and willingness of Charlbury residents to help and, in response to a number of suggestions, we are now setting up an emergency appeal to assist in our aim of restoring cricket at Charlbury.

"We are one of the leading community organisations in the town, offering sport and recreation to more than 80 adults, both men and women, 120 youth members between the ages of six and 17, and 40 children, aged three to five.

"It is not the nature of the members of the club to be defeated by a small matter of a flood."

An emergency plan has been put in place: Restoring youth and tots cricket from Monday, August 6 Hiring temporary changing and toilet facilities to the end of the season Hiring a roller and other equipment Aim to begin adult cricket from Saturday, August 11.

The club will not know for some time whether the pavilion, built from wood, can be restored or whether it will have to be replaced with a new one. Despite being in the floodplain of the Evenlode, the weekend's devastation is unprecedented. Previous floodwaters have only caused damage to the pavilion cellars.

A bank account has been set up for the emergency appeal. Those who would like to help should contact either Mr Jenkins, on 01608 811778, or Amalgam Harper, on 01608 810464.