IT IS sad and despicable that someone deliberately burned down the pavilion at Hatch End Cricket Club.

The team have suffered a massive setback now that they have no clubhouse to call home. Not only will officials will be relying on the goodwill of other sports teams to provide them changing and matchday facilities but the club will also lose out on vital bar revenue.

Players are adament that the fire was started in a spiteful revenge attack by youths who just hours earlier had been involved in a fracas with cricketers.

The teenagers, who were drunk, caused completely unwarranted disruption to Hatch End CC's match. The end result is: a cloud of shame over the teenagers' violent actions, the loss of a vital community pavilion and another investigation for our overburdened police.

Health service but you pay

AN EMERGENCY health centre billed as the first private A&E in the country has opened its doors in Harrow meaning people can receive emergency care if they are willing to pay for it, dividing the opinion of those who think a speedy, reliable service should consistently be available on the NHS and others who fear it is the latest move towards an American-style system.

Residents can pay to be seen by a doctor in 15 minutes at the Emergency Care Centre at BMI Clementine Churchill Hospital, in Sudbury Hill.

For those of us who have waited to see a doctor at the accident and emergency department at Northwick Park Hospital, in Watford Road, the idea of being treated within a quarter of an hour is an attractive proposal.

Whether it will be a success remains to be seen, but it is sad the Government and NHS cannot provide a more efficient and quicker service for free.

What do you think?