A cricket club are crowdfunding to replace a tractor that was stolen at New Year which may threaten the club’s ability to start the new cricket season.
Over the New Year Eynsham Cricket Club’s equipment garage was broken into and the club’s tractor, which is used to prepare the outfield, was stolen.
The offenders broke into a locked garage and drove the tractor through a hedge and out of the cricket ground.
Eynsham CC has two adult league teams, a Sunday friendly team and a midweek T20 side, women’s hardball and softball teams and offers cricket to juniors from the age of five to 15, with a specific girls section.
They are a thriving village cricket team and need to replace the tractor in time to allow cricket to be played from the end of April.
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They are also crowdfunding for an increased on-site security and new secure garage doors in time for the new season in 12 weeks’ time.
The cricket club membership is largely from the village and the club is a hub for outdoor village activities on a daily basis.
It hosts Eynsham croquet club, which is used daily from the spring into the autumn.
Cricket club chairman Sam Hollingshead said: “Unfortunately despite a good response on social media we haven’t been able to retrieve the tractor and due to the proximity of the new season we have no other choice but to purchase a new one.
“Due the importance of the tractor, the costs involved in replacing it and the additional costs of extra security to try and stop it happening again the club is looking to crowdfund.”
Eynsham CC is limited by their constitution as to levels of reserves they need to maintain.
To replace the tractor and upgrade the garage within 10 weeks is beyond the financial means of the club and its members, it says.
Members also decided that crowdfunding was the only method to secure the funding without causing a debt to the club.
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Thieves broke into the garage and drove the red F35 Massey Ferguson through a hedge before heading on to Cassington Road between 3pm on January 2 and 1pm on January 4.
TVP Rural Crime Taskforce is appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage.
You can phone 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting crime reference 43230004565.
Help Eynsham CC to replace their stolen tractor – a Community crowdfunding project in Witney by Simon Brown (crowdfunder.co.uk)
This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris
Profile: Miranda Norris Journalists news from the Oxford Mail
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Theft of tractor from Eynsham Cricket Club threatens new season – Oxford Mail
