A BARBEQUE cabin belonging to a Colne community centre has been targeted by thieves.
The wooden lodge, which forms part of a memorial garden at North Valley Community Centre, in Birtwistle Avenue, was approached between 6pm on December 2nd and 9-30am on December 11th. The garden was officially opened by the Mayor of Pendle Coun. Asjad Mahmood during the Jubilee weekend.
It is believed the offenders forced open the window of the lodge, before then entering and lighting a fire in a wooden pit. To keep the fire going, it is thought the offenders then threw surrounding Christmas decorations and a wooden table onto the flames. They then left with a radiator from the lodge.
The cabin can be hired out for parties, and was last used as Santa’s Grotto at the North Valley Residents Association’s Christmas Fair (see below).
Chairman of North Valley Resident’s Association James Smart said: “We are very distressed that someone has seen fit to break in and vandalise this cabin, which was built with Big Lottery funding.
“The damage was mainly confined to burning a table, curtains and the Christmas decorations, as well as being sick and tramping charcoal and ash all over the floor.
“It has taken quite a lot of volunteers time to clean up the vomit. There was quite a lot of smoke damage, which will need to be scrubbed from the walls and ceiling.”
Coun. Joe Cooney, added: “Its a real shame that people don’t realise the amount of time and effort the volunteers of the community centre have put in over the years to improve the centre for the entire community.”
Witnesses are asked to call police on 101.