Higham Ferrers fishing group ‘devastated’ after container fire

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

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

Mr Parkins, from nearby Rushden, said the group was set up 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 suspected be intentional.

Mr Parkins, director of Fishing for Minds and the angling club's welfare officer, said he received a call from a member of the public to say the container in which all their equipment was stored had been “set on fire”.

He believes the fire occurred around 01:00 BST on October 13.

Both organizations are non-profit.

“At the time we thought the whole set was burnt, but we think part of it may have been stolen because we didn't see any burnt coils on the ground,” he said.

“I was walking in the park and found fishing rods in the forest.”

He estimated the total cost of damage to be around £6,000, including around £3,000 worth of fishing material.

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

Mr Parkins said: “I'm upset, I'm angry, it's saddened me. I was simply devastated.

“My mental health has deteriorated a bit, I have really bad anxiety and now I have insomnia.

“I've lost a few sentimental items, but luckily we're covered.”

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

The fundraising appeal has raised around £200 so far.

“I want to say a big thank you to everyone who helped, it just shows how strong the fishing community is,” he added.