Claygate
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Claygate Cricket CLUB
‘ From fire to future ’ … how a small club in Surrey is recovering from a devastating fire ...
Recovering from a devastating fire and suffering the loss of a clubhouse is one thing , but Claygate Cricket Club ’ s clubhouse was less than five years old and destroyed by ‘ wilful damage ’, by vandals who were never caught .
The impact of the fire on both the club and the village has been devastating .
It ’ s a story of resilience and drive that now finds the club about to embark on a re-building project which will produce a clubhouse bigger and better than the previous one and provide the club and the village with a flagship facility that will last for many years to come .
Club President Steve Wells explains , “ The last year has been enormously challenging for the club , and members have been working incredibly hard for us to compete in our 132nd season . The fire affected every facet of the club , but we have been so grateful for the support we have had from so many different directions in our hour of need , from Surrey CCC , the Fullers League , from other cricket clubs , from Claygate Recreation Ground Trust and from the local community .”
To continue playing this year , Claygate bought and fitted out temporary accommodation in the form of three movable cabins . They cost nearly £ 30k , but with a healthy financial position and the generosity of members , Claygate were able to do that . As a result they have been able to meet all their playing commitments in the Fullers Surrey County League this season . The facilities will meet their needs for next season as well whilst the main pavilion is rebuilt .
The club has a long history of resilience . It started 132 years ago when Mark Twain first wrote Huckleberry Finn and Gilbert and Sullivan ’ s Mikado first opened at the Savoy Theatre in London . England played
Australia in the first ‘ Ashes ’ test match only eight years before ! The club became established thanks to the Honourable
Fitzalan Foley as President with his private house ‘ Loseberry ’ as the first home ground .
The clubhouse that now stands as a burnt-out shell was completed and opened in 2012 after a three-year £ 400k fundraising effort in the community . The club was enormously proud of that achievement which provided one of the best club facilities in the county . The action by vandals on the night of the 7th November meant the process had to start all over again . Insurance has covered most of the loss , but once again fundraising has been fantastic and there have been many events held in the last six months . One highlight was a game in July against the Surrey Masters XI - an opportunity offered right after the fire by Surrey County Cricket Club .
50 Issue 16