Cricket club left counting the cost

Rye CC uses the pavilion during the summer and many of its belongings were lost in the fire during the early hours of Saturday morning.

Secretary Martin Blincow said: "There's a sense of shock and numbness at the moment, trying to realise the enormity of what's happened to us.

"The cost runs into thousands of pounds. We've lost everything from cricket equipment and kitchen equipment to bar stock and fridges."

Precious memorabilia which can't be replaced, including photographs dating back to the 1890s and various trophies the club has won over the years, was destroyed.

Saturday's second team game at home to Linden Park thirds did go ahead with players changing at Rye Rugby Club, in cars or in the storage shed in the north-west corner of The Salts.

The New Road-based rugby club will continue to help out over the final two weekends of the season and a marquee will be in place for the Oliver Curd Trust fundraising game on Bank Holiday Monday.

The full article will appear in tomorrow's Rye Observer.