A bowls club that was gutted by fire following an arson attack has now reopened, to the delight of members.
The Alexandra and Beehive Bowls Club, whose players are mostly pensioners, enjoyed weekly bowls matches and a social meet-up at the pavilion in Alexandra Gardens, Cambridge, until it had to close in September last year after it burnt down.
Fire ripped through the entire pavilion, which suffered smoke and water damage, the ceiling and toilets were destroyed and all of the club’s memorabilia and photos were lost.
Now, thanks to help from Cambridge City Council, members say the completely revamped pavilion – which reopened last week – is the best in the county.
The president of the bowls club, John Drayton, said: “This is such a friendly club and is the social hub for many older people who would not get out to meet people without it. So when the pavilion was burnt down we were very worried that the club would have to close and people would lose that opportunity to meet up.
“We just didn’t think the council would bother to fix it because the damage was so bad. But they have repaired everything and the place is fantastic now. It was built in the early 1900s and they have brought it into the 21st century and it’s just lovely to be inside there.
“It’s all decorated with a new ceiling because the ceiling was burnt out, there’s a new kitchen because the kitchen was partly destroyed. Even the toilets have been redecorated. It’s like going into a new building. They have completely repaired and refurbished the club for us and now I think we have the best green and pavilion in the county. We all want to thank the city council for the work they have done and for communicating with us so well.
“Our oldest member is 94, but there are a lot of us oldies who like to go to the club to play a game and get out to meet people. It is the main part of many people’s social life. We’ve got a lovely place and we’d like to say to the local community, or anybody that wants to come and have a game with us, that we are open to new members. We also have a social meeting on Thursday morning where you can come for a cup of tea and a biscuit, so I hope new people will join us now.”
The club was officially reopened at a ceremony on Thursday, 23 May.
Cllr Sam Carling (Lab, West Chesterton), executive councillor for open spaces, said: “We're thrilled to have been able to carry out this repair work. The Bowls Club is so important to the local community, and protecting and enhancing our community spaces is a key priority for us as a council. This is a fantastic example of where investment pays off.”
