Community revives social club hours after fire

A community has come together to repair damage to a village social club following a fire.

The blaze started on Monday morning at the Churchdown Club in Churchdown, Gloucestershire, causing damage to the roof, a function room, skittle alley, kitchen and meeting room.

Manager Charlotte Nourse said the fire was "absolutely devastating" as the rooms were "hubs of the community".

But thanks to quick-acting club members, the building will be in a good enough condition to host the England v Ghana World Cup match on Tuesday evening.

Deputy chairman Patrick McCaffrey said the support from volunteers was "heartwarming".

"As we were doing the clean-up, members kept arriving asking what we can do to help", he said.

"We were cleaning, clearing, wiping, moping and jet-washing. Members just poured in to help out.

"[At] 11 o'clock [on Monday morning] we were thinking Churchdown Club will be no more, but by 9pm we had finished and we all sat in the bar enjoying a drink together. It was quite fantastic."

While part of the roof was heavily damaged in the fire, other parts of the building were able to be reopened following the volunteers' efforts.

McCaffrey said firefighters from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service were "absolutely phenomenal".

"Without them we wouldn't have a club," he said.

"They saved our site and we will be forever grateful for them."

Nourse said the club plans to set up a crowdfunding project to help repair the rest of the building.

Members are "hoping that the community will help us out a little bit more", she said.

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