A THATCHED shelter built by young people at a Witney museum has been destroyed in a suspected arson attack.

But volunteers at Cogges Manor Farm Museum said they would rather work with the attackers to help them, rather than see them prosecuted.

The fire broke out between 7.40pm and 7.55pm on Sunday, June 17. A passer-by noticed smoke and called the emergency services.

Firefighters were unable to save the wood and thatch structure, which was built by a group of teenagers last October as part of a week-long project organised by the Oxfordshire Youth Arts Partnership Trust, aimed at teaching young people new skills.

Museum director Colin Shone said: “I feel very sad that the work people had put into creating something has been destroyed.

“We want to reach out to everyone and if this makes it more difficult, because community groups’ work is being undone, that’s really disappointing.”

“But I would love to show those people that have done this Cogges and what it means to people. Cogges is a place where people have an opportunity to make something for the better of the community and for the better of themselves.”

The shelter was used by Cogges volunteers for demonstrations of open-fire cooking and workshops.

Neither Cogges nor OYAP have the money to pay for a replacement shelter.

The project last autumn was funded by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Janine Charles, who organised the OYAP project, said: “It’s heartbreaking for everyone. We were trying to create a legacy for Cogges and at the same time trying to give the young people a significant role in the site and its development.

“The feedback at the end of the week was that they were so proud of themselves that they had achieved so much.

“One person had been arrested previously on the site and has now got a very different relationship to it. He cares about what happens there.”

“But I feel if there is one thing I can hope for is that if we rebuild the shelter, we get some of those who have done this to come and help.”

She added: “We would rather find them and work with them than blame them and have them prosecuted.”

Anyone with information about the fire should contact Witney police on 101 or Crime-stoppers on 0800 555111.