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Wedding plans hit by blaze

by Katie Fitzpatrick
3/10/2008

MORE than 20 functions have had to be cancelled between now and Christmas following an arson attack at a local cricket club.

Wedding receptions, christenings and 18th and 21st birthday parties have had to find alternative venues at short notice because of a fire that ravaged the clubhouse at Bamford Fieldhouse Cricket Club last Thursday night.

And the adult care learning disabilities day service, which meets at the club from Monday to Friday, has been left without a permanent base.

Venues

Members of the council-run service have been spread across various venues in Rochdale following the fire.

Vandals dragged a waste bin to the front entrance of the club in Hollin Lane, placed it on top of some stacked wooden pallets and set it alight.

Firefighters spent four hours battling the fire and assessors are now working to determine the extent of the damage.

It is feared that the club, which has also been home to the Rochdale and District Amateur Radio Club for 11 years, might have to be completely rebuilt.

Committee member Martin Wolfenden said the club has been working with people that have booked a party with them to find alternative venues.

The club is anxious that the clubhouse should be restored before the start of next season in April.

He said: "It has been a complete nightmare. We had an 18th birthday booked for this weekend and a christening last Sunday.

"We are trying to book people in at the bowling club or other venues in the area and we have had to return their deposits.

"This is so upsetting because it is the lifeblood of the club and it is up in the air over what we will do with the building."

Club secretary Graham Schofield said: "We can’t come back to the club until it is rebuilt."

Police are urging people to come forward with any information about the fire on 0161 872 5050.