Kestrels Archery Club overwhelmed by Biggleswade community’s kindness after spate of vandalism

On the week of June 15, the lavatory was smashed, leaving the team without a bathroom facility and with a big cleaning up job to do. Graffiti was also discovered which could have been scrawled on the walls at the same time or at an earlier date.

However, after posting about the incident on social media, town residents rallied round to support the club, with people volunteering to clean the room - and four offers of a new toilet.

Martin Gascoigne, chairman of the club, which is based on Furzenhall Road, said: “For me, that was quite an emotional response. It’s so nice of people when you compare and contrast that with the attitude of the people who came in and did it.

“The outcome we feel has been a positive engagement from the people of Biggleswade, rather than a negative one.

“The team members have decided that they will clean up all the mess themselves, but thanks to all the residents for their extremely kind offers.”

Martin also told the Chronicle that they have accepted one of the toilet offers, with the facility to be installed when the room is repaired.

The vandalism was discovered by one of the club members, who notified Martin on June 21, while he has also been informed that a passer-by heard youths laughing and messing about in the club barn or toilet on around June 18.

Martin said: “I don’t know what goes through people’s heads when they do that [vandalism]. I’m not angry, I’m mystified more than anything else. What do people get out of it? I think the person who discovered it was a bit shocked to be honest. They were up there shooting on the Sunday [June 21]. We’d just reopened.”

It was apparent that the toilet door had been kicked in before the vandalism incident and used by a rough sleeper who had left blankets in the room. However, as repairs take place, the club will be fully securing the toilet.

Due to the current pandemic restrictions the club has been unable to open its toilet for use, but it has been able to resume sessions for members, although it cannot hold beginners classes yet due to social distancing restrictions. To find out more about the club, please visit www.kestrelsarchery.org