Higham Ferrers fishing group ‘destroyed’ after fire in container

Alex PopeNorthamptonshire

Higham Ferrers Riverside Angling Association Large storage container, doors open, surrounded by burnt and damaged items everywhere, yellow box in front, burnt and damaged items on the floor. — The fire gutted a container storing fishing and gardening equipment

The director of a fishing club said he was left “devastated” after an arson attack destroyed around £6,000 worth of fishing gear and electrical equipment.

Craig Parkins, 40, of Fishing for Minds, part of the Higham Ferrers Riverside Angling Club, in Northamptonshire, said years of work collected inside a storage container had “just gone up in smoke”.

Parkins, from nearby Rushden, said the group was started in 2023 to help people with mental health problems, as he suffers from anxiety.

Northamptonshire Police said the fire, which started in the early hours of October 13, was believed to be… To be intentional.

The Higham Ferrers Riverside Fishing Club has about 100 members, Craig Parkins said

Sam Reid/BBC Craig Parkins, standing outside, wearing a hat, glasses, a pale hoodie, and a beard. He is standing in front of a lake, with grass on its side. — The Higham Ferrers Riverside Fishing Club has about 100 members, Craig Parkins said

Parkins, director of Fishing for Minds and the fishing club’s welfare officer, said he received a phone call from a member of the public telling him that the container unit in which all their gear was stored had “burned down”.

The fire is believed to have occurred at approximately 01:00 GMT on October 13.

Both are non-profit organizations.

He added: “At the time we thought all the tools had been burned, but we think some of them may have been stolen, because we couldn’t see any burnt reels on the ground.”

“I wandered into the park and found rods lying in the woods.”

He estimated the total cost of damage was around £6,000, including around £3,000 worth of fishing materials.

It also includes the cost of repairing the container and replacing other items such as seat boxes, chairs, carts, lawnmower, hand tools, and fishing gear.

The destruction was discovered on Monday, October 13

Higham Ferrers Riverside Hunting Association, burned and damaged items, inside a storage container, on the floor, all charred and damaged. — The destruction was discovered on Monday, October 13

“I’m upset and angry. It’s left me sad. I’m absolutely devastated,” Parkins said.

“My mental health has been affected a bit, I suffer from severe anxiety and now I suffer from insomnia.

“I lost some emotional stuff but fortunately we are insured.”

He said the community quickly rallied and donated items, so the groups could continue sessions with young people, including events planned for half term.

So far the fundraising campaign has raised around £200.

He added: “I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who helped me, as this shows how strong the fishing community is.”