The Earl Bathurst to become the next Patron of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club
21 October 2014
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is delighted to announce that The Earl Bathurst has accepted the Club’s invitation to become its next Patron, succeeding The Lord Vestey.
Born on 11 March 1961 as the eldest son of Henry Bathurst, 8th Earl Bathurst and Judith Mary Nelson, he lives with his wife Sara, The Countess Bathurst, at Cirencester Park, the Bathurst family seat.
Cirencester Park is a wonderful example of geometric design and is reputed to be the finest example of forest parkland. Within the estate is the famous polo ground, founded in 1894, the oldest playing ground in the United Kingdom.
Locally, Lord Bathurst serves on a number of charitable boards. He is a Director of the Cirencester Housing Society, Trustee and Master of the St Lawrence’s Hospital Charity Trust and President of the Gloucestershire Wooden Spoon Society. Undoubtedly his largest commitment is to the efficient running of The Bathurst Estate, covering some 16,000 acres of which 7,000 are farmed in-hand including the recently purchased Kemble Farms Limited, with 900 Holstein Friesian cows located around the western edge of Cirencester. Lord Bathurst is a Governor of the family-connected Royal Agricultural University, a Director of the Cotswold Show, a past President of the Three Counties Agricultural Society and President of the Gloucestershire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group along with various other charities and organisations. He is a past-playing member of Cirencester Cricket Club and the Gloucestershire Gipsies and is at present the President of the former.
The Countess Bathurst is Patron of the Cheltenham-based cancer charity LINC and national Vice-President of the Royal British Legion’s women’s section.
Commenting on his appointment, The Earl Bathurst said: “It is a huge privilege and honour to have been asked to become Patron of Gloucestershire CCC and it is going to be a huge task to follow in the footsteps of the Duke of Beaufort, Diana, Princess of Wales and Lord Vestey who stepped down at the end of the 2014 season with a win over Kent. I will look forward to doing everything that I can to support the Club into the future.”
Club Chairman, Roger Cooke, added: “We are delighted that The Earl Bathurst has accepted our invitation to become the Club’s Patron. Following in the footsteps of Lord Vestey, who was a great supporter and benefactor of the Club and our Patron for the last 17 years, he will be a hard act to follow!”
