Cricket club reopens pavilion after fire

A cricket club has reopened its pavilion more than two years after it was destroyed in a fire.

Paultons Cricket Club in Ower, near Romsey, was targeted by an arson attack in January 2022, which wrecked the pavilion and damaged the pitch.

After fundraising and rebuilding, the club was able to open the new pavilion at an event on Saturday.

Nicky Lamb, a member of the club who oversaw the ribbon cutting ceremony, said it "warms your heart" to see it return.

She added that it was "lovely" to see the members of the club, which erected a temporary structure after the fire, enjoying their day.

"They've all stuck with us through our portacabin years and everyone's just come through and to be able to reward them with this is spectacular," Ms Lamb said.

At the time of the fire, emergency services were called to the club in the early hours.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service sent five fire engines to put out the blaze.

The fire had started from a van and had spread through the wooden cricket pavilion building.

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