COMMITTEE members at The Magpies Sports and Social Club in Stonehouse are urging the community to get behind local businesses after the most recent break-in.

Intruders forced their way into the club late last Monday, March 5, stealing crates of cider as well as taking money from the safe.

This has become a problem in Stonehouse over the past few months, with break-ins at Daniel’s TV and Location Estate Agents.

However, despite the unrest the voluntary committee at Magpies wants to put it behind them.

“At the end of the day if people in the neighbourhood want to break-in there isn’t a lot we can do to stop them,” said Magpies secretary Chris Law.

“We have installed new CCTV but sometimes that doesn’t make much difference.

“It time for us to move on and the community to get behind the social club and businesses.”

The club currently has around £200 members, many of whom use the facility following football matches or for skittles.

“The boys from the football club all signed up and there’s a good atmosphere in the club after games,” said vice chairman, Lee Ewing.

“We have five skittles teams, so we can be busy on week nights but we are also bringing in live music acts on the weekends to drive more people into the club.

“An Amy Winehouse and Pink tribute act will be making an appearance in the near future and we are hoping plenty of people in.”

The club is not without its time in the spotlight having been used in the television adaptation of JK Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy.

“It was great to get the cameras down here and watch our club on television,” said treasurer Rob Owen.

Plans have been submitted to Stroud District Council for a new building and the committee is hopeful this will happen soon.

However, with the old building still in place they want all the community to get involved.

lFor more information call 0794 453 2643 or email magpiesstonehouse@outlook.com