JUST days after the school holidays began, summer madness has struck with vandals targeting Malvern sports clubs and a man injured at Gullet Quarry.
Barnards Green Cricket Club was twice the victim of vandals at the weekend, first at a pitch it uses behind the Swan Inn, Newland, and then at its own ground at North End Lane.
The pavilion at Newland was forced open between last Friday and Saturday. A scoreboard, scoring number plates, stumps, keys, crockery and food were stolen.
A tap was also left running, flooding the square and making the pitch unusable for Saturday's game.
At North End Lane, new sight screens and a mobile net were damaged, as was a tree planted in memory of long-time club president Eric Spencer.
Robin Longmore, chairman of the club's cricket section, said: "It's particularly disappointing after the hard work at the start of the season, where volunteers put in a lot of time and effort to provide a safer environment for local cricketers, particularly the youngsters of Malvern.
"We currently have over 160 colts who enjoy making use of the facilities we're able to provide. These facilities may no longer be available if such mindless vandalism persists."
On Wednesday, a man was airlifted to hospital after an accident at Gullet Quarry.
He was with friends who had been diving into the quarry, despite widely publicised appeals not to do so.
The County Air Ambulance was called out just before 3pm to rescue the 32-year-old Cheltenham man after he slipped about 30ft down the quarry, landing awkwardly.
He was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital for treatment for a suspected neck injury.
Dave Turner, from the County Air Ambulance, said: "When it gets hot, groups of lads do the usual thing of diving in the quarry, even though there are signs everywhere saying don't swim."
Malvern Hills Conservators chairman Ian Rowat said the group must have climbed a two-metre fence and ignored warning signs to get to the quarry.
He said that the Conservators had done everything possible to stop people swimming there.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the vandalism at Barnards Green Cricket Club. Call 08457 444 888, quoting 523S/220706 (Newland) or 174S/240706 (North End Lane).
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