A Highland Perthshire cricket club has risen from the ashes after its pavilion was burnt to the ground by vandals.
Members of Breadalbane Cricket Club, which was formed in 1869, thought they might have to call it a day when they suffered a devastating fire in November last year at Victoria Park, Aberfeldy.
Three youths were reported to the children’s reporter with regard to the fire.
The pavilion stored much of the club’s playing and training equipment, including some members’ own gear.
However, the club has successfully raised £10,000 from a host of organisations and individuals which will enable it to survive.
In addition, planning permission has been granted to allow the building of temporary changing and storage facilities on the existing site.
Although the club now looks set to play in Division 2 of the Strathmore Cricket Union, Mark Bridgeman, 47, junior coordinator at the club, told The Courier that the “green shoots of recovery” are evident.
“Everyone at the club knew it would be a Herculean effort to keep the club on its feet,” he said. “Maintaining and running a cricket club is a huge endeavour at the best of times.
“After the arson attack, the club had approximately five months to basically rebuild a cricket club from the beginning. What followed surpassed even the most optimistic members of the club.
“Donations and offers of help came flooding in from local businesses, organisations and individuals. We had goodwill messages of support from the governing body, Cricket Scotland, as well as clubs and cricket lovers all across the country.”
There is now a greater-than-ever commitment to cricket at Breadalbane Academy, with several promising young players coming through the ranks.
“The links between the club, school and community are better than ever. New players have joined the team this season and made a valuable contribution.
“The club is determined to see in 2014 in a much stronger and more positive position than it was able to do in 2013.
“The pleasure on the faces of the 160 youngsters who took part in the annual Highland Perthshire Cricket Festival in June made it all worthwhile.”
Breadalbane Cricket Club won the Strathmore District Cricket Union Division 1 championship in 2006 and 2008 and was Perthshire Cup winner in both 2007 and 2008.