Arson hit March Conservative Bowls Club launches funding appeal to get them rolling again

A town bowls club attacked by vandals is desperately trying to raise funds to replace equipment lost in a fire.

March Conservative Bowls Club, which is based and the Conservative Club in Creek Road, saw its storage shed go up in flames on New Year’s Day in an arson attack.

Unfortunately, the club which is not affiliated to the Conservative Club any longer, was uninsured and has been left counting the cost of the blaze which happened at around 6pm on January 1 and saw part of Creek Road and Station Road closed by police while firefighters tackled it.

Two sheds were well alight when fire crews from March and Chatteris attended the fire and was on its way to spreading to a third.

It took nearly two hours to bring under control. The fire left the Conservative Club also counting the cost as it had to cancel its January carvery due to smoke and fire damage to a portacabin used to prepare and store food for the kitchen.

Now Sheridan Wheeler, the bowls club treasurer, has launched a GoFundme appeal to raise £1,000 to help cover the costs of replacing the lost equipment in time for the new season to start next month.

Posting to the page she said: “This is a community facility which brings a lot of enjoyment to members. We need to raise £1,000 to be able to get going again in April.

“We're trying within the club to raise funds. We have been loaned some equipment but these will need to be returned. Every donation, big or small will make such a difference. Your help will be very much appreciated. Thank you for your generosity.”

At its meeting earlier this month March Town Council agreed to give the club a donation of £500 as part of the council’s small grants initiative.