The Gloucestershire Exiles
The Gloucestershire Exiles is a part-social, part fundraising founded in 1971 and boasts a membership of several hundred Gloucestershire supporters from across the country and even around the world.
Originally conceived to bring together supporters from outside the county, the membership now includes many who live in Gloucestershire and Bristol who wish to enjoy the benefits offered by the Exiles.
We organise events both during the cricket season and winter months – you can read about them below. These include an Annual General Meeting at Lord’s, a day at the Cheltenham Cricket Festival for members and friends and also a 'Meet the Players' evening during one of our matches in London. Every other year we hold a Fundraising Dinner in the Lord’s Committee Dining Room.
We also produce our Exiles magazine, Outside-edge, which is the only print publication exclusively about Gloucestershire cricket. It is published twice a year and sent to all of our members. Outside-edge keeps our members in touch with the Club news through articles submitted by members and contributions from county players past and present, cricket writers and other cricket-lovers.
How can I get involved?
Membership of the Gloucestershire Exiles has an annual subscription cost of just £20 ( £25 for joint membership). To find out more and to receive a complimentary copy of Outside-edge, please contact our Membership Secretary, Matt Davies, at matt.davies@bbc.co.uk or on 07970 730267.
Exiles Day at the Cheltenham Cricket Festival
The ever-popular annual event took place last year during the County Championship match against Glamorgan when over 150 Exiles and their guests flocked to the Exiles’ spiritual home for yet another marvellous day, both on and off the pitch. The cricket was exhilarating, but as ever with Exiles Day, it was not all about what happened on the pitch. Set in a private marquee the day gives a chance for Exiles to catch up with friends and kindred spirits, often from far-flung places, many of whom they only see once a year.
During the lunch interval, Exiles Chair Sarah Blowen welcomed everyone to the event, especially former Glamorgan Chair and President Gerard Elias, and introduced Adam Moody as the latest Exiles recruit and the first American member of the organisation. For Adam, it was his first visit to Cheltenham, having recently joined the Exiles and arranged a holiday to Britain to coincide with the festival. She also presented the Exiles Player of the Year Award 2023 to Ollie Price, who held a Questions and Answers session with the Exiles’ Matt Davies.
As well as the fun had by all who attended, Jon Paine donated £2000 on behalf of the Exiles to Club Treasurer Nick Bryan, a fellow Exile.
After the donation, Sarah Blowen said: “I am always amazed at and incredibly grateful for the support that our members give for this day."
“So many people travel many a mile to support the event. A great deal of work goes into organising it, but it is all well worthwhile when you see so many people having fun and at the same time knowing that we are all supporting the County.”
Details of the 2025 event will be announced very soon.
Mark Brunt
Gloucestershire Cricket Elected Board Member & Gloucestershire Exile
For more information about the Exiles Day and to secure your tickets for 2025 please contact Mark Brunt at: mbrunt@solventis.net
2025 Gloucestershire Exiles Dinner at Lord's
The Exiles will launch their social activities for the year in early February with a sold-out Dinner which will be held in the beautiful surroundings of the Writing Room in the Pavillion at Lord’s.
The event guest speakers are ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould and Gloucestershire Cricket Chair Peter Matthews.
Should further tickets become available before the event, existing Exiles will be notified.
Outside-edge
To give you a wider picture of the history of the Exiles and its link with the County Club, below is a link to the 100th edition of Outside-edge which includes highlights and pictures through the years from the formation of the Exiles in 1971:
Click here for the 109th Edition of the Outside-edge.
Outside-edge editor Martin Jones welcomes all contributions and ideas for articles. We would be delighted to hear from you, especially with your 150 words. Please email him at jonitiramsen1986@gmail.com