News

FESTIVAL HEADING FOR RECORD CROWDS

5 July 2013

Next week Gloucestershire Cricket comes to Cheltenham for its world famous festival set in the stunning grounds of Cheltenham College.  This year’s Brewin Dolphin Cheltenham Cricket Festival is set for a record attendance with the Friends Life t20 matches heading for capacity crowds.

Ticket sales are running at more than three times the level of any previous year and have already overtaken the total advance sales in 2012, which was itself a record.

This is the world’s longest running cricket festival which has been showcasing a variety of matches against many different opponents since 1872.  This season is no exception as the Club will be playing from Wednesday 10 to Sunday 21 July, hosting 2 four-day LV= County Championship matches and, for the first time, three Twenty20 matches.

The festival gets under way on Wednesday 10 July with a four day LV=CC match against Kent.  On Sunday 14 July, Gloucestershire welcome Warwickshire in the first t20 match backed up by a second t20 against Northants on Tuesday 16 July.  Local rivals Worcestershire are next up in a four day LV=CC match starting on Wednesday 17 July and the festival closes with another t20 match against Glamorgan on Sunday 21 July.

Tom Richardson, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club’s Chief Executive said: “Cheltenham has always been incredibly popular, but the introduction of Twenty20 cricket has taken this to a new level.  We have added additional seating space this year and sales are already at two thirds of our enlarged capacity for the t20 matches.  We are urging supporters to buy in advance to secure their place and also to benefit from big discounts for advance purchases.”

Gloucestershire Captain, Michael Klinger, added:  “Everyone talks so much about the festival and how good it is to play there.  The only time I have been to Cheltenham was for a sponsors’ evening a month or two back, but the boys are always raving about the place and what a good atmosphere there is at the ground.  I didn’t know much about the festival until I arrived at Gloucestershire, but now I am really excited at the prospect of playing there.  T20 cricket is all about entertainment and it’s great for us to take it to a new venue.  I’m sure a lot of our supporters from Bristol will rock up there and we will also attract people from other parts of the county.  From what I hear Cheltenham will be a terrific place for t20 and we can be sure of a packed crowd.”

The Ground’s idyllic setting provides the perfect backdrop for this annual festival, enticing existing cricket fans and new supporters alike.  It is one of the most successful festivals, regularly attracting large crowds and big cricketing stars and is the perfect venue for a summer’s day entertainment.

Free coaching for juniors will be provided by ECB qualified coaches throughout the festival at the Abercrombie & Kent coaching zone.  This will be the third year that Cheltenham-based luxury travel operator Abercrombie & Kent have been supporting the festival and hundreds of children have so far enjoyed the cricket coaching provided at their coaching zone.  Come along to their Moroccan tent for a chance to win a balloon ride on the last day of the festival.

Mercedes-Benz of Cheltenham and Gloucester are also long-time supporters of the festival and look out for some of their latest models which will be on display at the College Ground.  Visit their stand for a chance to win the use of one of their fabulous cars for a weekend.

Our hospitality marquees this year have again proved extremely popular, attracting companies from across the region. We cater for all numbers from two places upwards.  Shared marquees offer the added advantage of great networking opportunities with the chance to meet other like-minded individuals and businesses in the area.  For last minute bookings and to arrange a function to suit your needs please call Julie Waite on 0117 910 8022.  Please note that hospitality is sold out for Sunday 14, Tuesday 16 and Sunday 21 July.

For more information and to make big savings on advance tickets please visit the Club’s website via this link book online here – and with no booking fees or call the Ticket Office on 0117 910 8010, Mon-Fri 9-5.

“Beyond the Boundary”
Entertainment to include:

• Wednesday 17 July – THE BAND OF THE ROYAL SIGNALS
  Who will be entertaining the crowds at the lunch interval.
• Thursday 19 July - LADIES’ DAY
  Why not enjoy a day in a private marquee with an excellent view of the cricket?  Enjoy a glass of Pimms on arrival followed by a 2 course luncheon and afternoon tea.  To book your place, please call Julie Waite on 0117 910 8022.
  
• Sunday 21 July – FAMILY SERVICE IN THE COLLEGE CHAPEL
  Service commences at 11.30 am and all are welcome.
• Sunday 21 July – THE RAF FALCONS Parachute Display Team
  The RAF Falcons are a unique team who are proud to be widely recognised as the UK’s premier military Parachute Display Team.  They are scheduled to perform their colourful aerial display before start of play.
• ABERCROMBIE & KENT COACHING ZONE
  ECB qualified coaches running all sessions with specific age group coaching for children 5-8 and 9-13.FL T20 Matches:
  3.00pm – 4.00pm – specific skill coaching e.g. front foot drive & skill games.
  4.00pm – 5.00pm – speed bowling, coaching & competition.  Use of speed gun.LV=CC Matches:
  11.30am – 1.00pm – specific skill coaching & skill games.
  1.30pm - 3.00pm – specific skills coaching & skill games.

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