Police probe cricket club blaze
Brian Lashley
8/ 9/2008
PLANS for a centenary celebration at a popular village cricket club have gone up in flames.
The clubhouse and pavilion at Hawk Green Cricket Club, Marple, Stockport, were destroyed in a suspected arson attack early today.
The severe damage caused by flames and smoke means the building may now have to be completely demolished.
Club officials say the cost for repairs will be six figures and could hit £300,000.
An investigation is underway into the cause of the blaze, which started in suspicious circumstances.
Club chairman Roy Cartledge was at a house 50 yards from the club when he received a phone call just after midnight telling him it was on fire.
He dashed to the Rhode Field ground and watched horrified as the flames tore through the building.
"It was well alight and I suppose I just went blank," he said.
"It is very sad because there is a lot of effort that has gone into the club.
Members had recently got together through the voluntary sports initiative Cricket Force and carried out £30,000 worth of work around the ground.
Added Mr Cartledge: "The fire service has had a sniffer dog in, and there is an investigation to find out how the fire started.
"We do not yet know how much it will cost to repair the damage but it could be anything between £100,000 and £300,000.
"It's impossible to say right now because we don't really know."
The club said it has not had many problems with vandalism.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire Service said: "There was a significant fire at the premises and the cause of it is under investigation."
Hawk Green Cricket Club was founded in 1909, and plans were well underway to celebrate its centenary next year with a host of events.
The club has adult and junior teams and is a popular facility used by community groups.
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