Arsonists blamed for forest fire at Formby Golf Club

Jul 1 2009 by Tom Duffy, Formby Times

Formby golf club's course manager Paul Swift

ARSONISTS are being blamed for the forest fire at Formby Golf Club which caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The blaze consumed a large area of tinder dry woodland, when it was feared the 10ft high flames would engulf the prestigious course and neighbouring land.

The 18 hole course, which enjoys Special Site of Scientific Interest status, lost a number of valuable trees but the true extent of the damage has not yet been established.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue sent three engines to the day time emergency last Thursday, and spent six hours damping down the scorched site to ensure the flames did not re-ignite.

For Chris Barker, the club's secretary manager, the fire brought back painful memories of the 2006 blaze that burned for 11 days. That fire, which cost the club tens of thousand of pounds, threatened a number of properties at the bottom of Fisherman's Path and even singed the course fairways, forcing the club to shut down part of the course.