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Bowling club season in ashes

Gemma Rathbone
19/ 3/2008

THE future of a Romiley sports club hangs in the balance following a suspected arson attack.

Members of Romiley Bowling and Tennis Club were looking forward to a year of celebrations to mark the club’s centenary.

But just a week before the start of the bowling season they are faced with the mammoth task of rebuilding their club from the ground up, after a blaze reduced the clubhouse to ashes.

It was the third piece of bad luck in less than two months for the club, which suffered a kitchen fire at the end of January and a break-in earlier this month.

Keith Turner, trustee and committee member, said the club provides its 200 members with many chances to socialise.

"A full calendar of events was planned for the 100th year and members will have no facilities for the opening of the season on March 29," he said.

"The whole building is a complete write off, it’s really terrible."

Members have built up the club since it started in 1908 and the facilities have been developed and extended over the years.

Problems started on January 30, when a kitchen fire, believed to have started because of an electrical fault, caused severe fire and smoke damage.

Repairs were arranged but earlier this month vandals broke in, and, although they found little to steal, more repairs were needed.

At 4.30am last Friday, March 14, firefighters were called to the Oakwood Road club and crews spent several hours getting the blaze under control but couldn’t save the wooden building.

"It’s all on the floor now and we’re going to have to start again," Mr Turner added. "This season is pretty well scuppered.

"Some members were in tears when they heard. Most have been there for many years and were very attached to the building.

"It was a home from home for some and a very important part of their social lives.

"But there is a strong will among members to do what we can to rise from the ashes and see the club continue."

An investigation into the cause of the blaze continues.

Click on the video window to see dramatic footage of the blaze, courtesy of Express reader Andrew Tomlinson