News / Avon and Somerset Constabulary
Community rallies to support Lawrence Weston farm
More than £4,000 has been raised for Lawrence Weston Community Farm in less than a week after its premises were left gutted by a suspected arson attack.
Staff, trustees and volunteers have been overwhelmed by the “heart-warming” show of public support as generous donations continue to flood in, children empty their piggy banks to help and hundreds turned out to stand in solidarity with the popular Saltmarsh Drive site.
Fire ripped through the premises in the early hours of Tuesday, March 21, leaving chaos and destruction in its wake as it destroyed the main office building and left extensive damage throughout the offices, toilets and kitchen.
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No people or animals were harmed by the blaze that was eventually brought under control by Avon fire fighters and police are now appealing for information to help investigations.
Farm bosses have issued a heartfelt thanks for the immense show of community spirit and generosity.
Trustee and farm adviser Robin Hicks said: “Hundreds of people came to show their support on Saturday – it was really moving. These are not rich folk but they were giving our team little handfuls of the cash they could spare.
“One little six-year-old brought a Tesco bag filled with the money from her savings pig – all of it – and presented it to me. Our lord lieutenant in waiting – who used to volunteer with us – turned up and was lovely to everyone.”
He confirmed that he has received individual donations of as much as £1,000 and a fundraising page set up to help the cause has netted almost £3,000 in contributions to date.
Hicks added: “It is still a nightmare and the smell and the look of the building is very saddening.”
Speaking after the fire, farm manager Paul Jayson said: “This is a dreadful thing to happen especially as we celebrate our 30th year. We will do our best to clear up and battle on.”
Phone lines were down after the blaze, but Hicks said he received a call from BT’s chief executive’s office with a promise to fix lines the next day and they are now up and running.
The farm’s two goats have both had twins since the fire and Hicks said the kids might be named after the BT staff who got the phone lines up back up and running.
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset police said: “I can confirm that enquiries are continuing into the incident which is being investigated as a deliberate fire. House to house enquiries have been carried out in the area.
“We would also be interested in hearing from anyone who was in the area at the time who may have information to help our enquiries.”
Anyone able to help is asked to contact police and quote reference 5217062078.
Read more: Community farm devastated at duck theft
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