TRAVELLERS who descended on to a village cricket club and used its water supply to wash their trade vehicles on the wicket have been evicted. 

The group are also said to have driven 'donuts' on the Eight Ash Green Cricket Club pitch as they left the site last night. 

Essex Police also served the group with a Section 61 notice, which means the travellers are prohibited from returning within three months. 

A separate group of travellers, at Seven Star Green, were also moved on.

A spokesman for Eight Ash Green Parish Council said: "Following the employment of professional bailiffs on behalf of the village, evictions on both Seven Star Green and The Heath took place in conjunction with the police.

"Both locations were actually served with what is know as a section 61 notice by our Police Force who were excellent today.

"This has the added advantage over the bailiffs own powers of prohibiting return for three months."

He added: "All vehicles and caravans have been removed from both locations and the clear up can now commence.

"The events of the last few days have carried a heavy price emotionally, environmentally and financially for the village but we have been hearted by the amazing sense of community it has generated.

"It makes us proud to call Eight Ash Green our home."

About a dozen caravans pitched up at the club on Thursday.

Since then, residents have reported threats of violence and a number of incidents of antisocial behaviour.

Popular pub The Cricketers closed at 6pm - five and a half hours early - on Friday night due to concerns for their customers’ welfare.

As a result of the encampment cricket club bosses cancelled a fixture against West Mersea Cricket Club on Sunday.

When the Gazette spoke to the group, all from Southampton, one of the men claimed they had shown the club respect by not driving their vehicles over the pitch.

But the council spokesman rubbished the claims, adding: “They spent Sunday afternoon using the water supply to wash their vehicles on the on the wicket - that’s the level of disdain they have treated the community with.”

A spokesman for the Cricketers said: “We did close early on Friday night.

“It was five-and-a-half hours early so there will be a financial impact.

“It was kind of night we would be very busy but we took the decision for the the safety of everyone here.”

'Anger'

RESIDENTS have spoken of their anger over travellers’ arrival on a village green. 

People living opposite the encampment at Eight Ash Green Cricket Club, told the Gazette they had experienced loud music and had even heard late-night fighting from the site. 

One woman, who asked not to give her name, said: “We’re all frightened.
“We’ve heard all sorts coming from them and some people have said they had been threatened - it’s mayhem.”

Another eyewitness said: “They had no regard for the cricket pitch. 

“While the caravans were parked off to the side the work vans parked themselves as good as on the square and were washing vans on there on Sunday afternoon.

“At least two were circling around the pitch when there was absolutely no need.

“It may be frustrating to have them parked at the side and disruptive.

“It may be forgivable to have the children playing on the pitch, although not ideal.

“But to drive vans all over it for no reason is just spiteful and unnecessary vandalism.

"It is two fingers up to the community on top of the disruption caused.”

One traveller who agreed to speak to our reporter said: “We’re here just for a few days, maybe four or five.

“We’ve been respectful of the cricket pitch, we wouldn’t want to ruin things for people at all. We’ve kept our vehicles off the pitch.”

When asked about the effects of their visit on the club - which saw Sunday’s fixture cancelled - the man responded: “They should have played it.”