Green damaged by fire vandals

Jun 17 2009 by Will Henshaw, Rutherglen Reformer

Green damaged by fire vandals

FIREBUGS have targeted Halfway and District Bowling Club as they set the club’s green alight.

The artificial grass was burned before the morning of a tournament which was to be hosted by the club on Saturday, June 6.

It is expected it will cost a lot to replace the turf and club president Jacky Fergus has blasted those responsible.

He said: “We don’t know what it’s going to cost yet as we’re getting a price at the moment.

“We discovered the damage on the Saturday morning before our tournament. When we came in the green was smouldering away and some of the boys had to put the fire out.

“The vandals must have set the fire during the night.”

However, this is not the only time the bowling club has been targeted by vandals.

The club have already had to go to the expense of having a fence installed to keep the vandals at bay.

He added:”The vandal have targeted our club on several occasions causing damage.

“There has been attempted break-ins, bottles have been thrown on to the green and there have also been other incidents.

“The only good thing I can say is that there use to be lock-ups and the back of the green and they were always climbing on there and throwing stones and bricks when the tournaments were on. They’ve took the lock-ups away though and put a fence up and there’s been a big difference since then.”

The president believes a lot of the trouble starts when the thugs get a drink in them at Welfare Park, which is located next to the club.

He added: “It’s when they go up into the Welfare Park and start drinking the wine they decide just to come in and throw things on to the green.”

A spokesman for Rutherglen police confirmed: “Between 2 and 9.20am on June 6 artificial grass was set alight at Halfway and district Bowling Club.”

Any witnesses should call Rutherglen Police Office on 532 5210.