So finally the Grand Opening Day has been and gone, but what a day it was.  On a hot June day of deep blue skies and blazing sun, the Bunburies arrived to take on Chalke Valley CC.  David English CBE, founder and captain of the Bunburies had promised his team would entertain and they certainly did.  At the pre-match lunch for 240 people in the marquee, there were hilarious speeches from Roger Dakin, the MC, and David English himself, and a profoundly moving talk by

Captain Edmund Addington, cousin to the Lamb brothers, and who had recently – and miraculously – survived being blown up in Helmand.  Edmund’s speech received a standing ovation and unquestionably did much to help the charity, Help for Heroes, one of three causes for which the event was raising money.

Lunch was followed by an Auction of Promises, brilliantly put together by local writer, Guy Walters, and equally superbly auctioneered by Bunbury Roger Dakin.  Every single bid raised more than its estimate, but perhaps most spectacular were David Walsh’s two paintings which went for £3,500.  At the end, local Ebbesbourne resident, John Wood, then offered to donate £1,000 to the Club if nine others would follow – those nine generously did so, creating, in a trice a further £10,000 towards the Club funds.  In all, the auction raised £22,000.

The owner of the ground, Caroline Rawle, was presented with a silver pepperpot containing ninety-nine peppercorns by Club Chairman, Peter Walker, who pointed out that we wished to pay our rent up front, and who then declared that Caroline had agreed to become the Club;’s new Life President.  With lunch complete, stars and guests moved to the middle of the pitch for the opening ceremony – the cutting of the ribbon around the square.  Flanked by Graeme Hick, David English and other players, Caroline did her duty and declared the Ground open.

While members of the public continued to arrive and mingle amongst the many stores and other attractions, others had settled down to watch the cricket.  The Bunburies batted first and after a solid start from CEO of the MCC, Keither Bradshaw, and Northants vice-captain, Alex Wakely, both men finally fell soon after completing their fifties, the latter succumbing to a peach of a delivery from Chimp Jeffery.  Somerset star, Peter Trego, newly called up to join the English Lions, smashed a rapid forty, but in the meantime, Club Captain Mark Cuff had begun producing the most memorable spell of his life, taking a three wicket hall that including the legendary Graeme Hick for just twelve.  The Bunburies finished on 280-10 as the teams left the pitch for tea.

It was as tea was drawing to a close that the Spitfire appeared over the ground.  In a stunning display, pilot Clive Denney flew repeatedly over Butts Field and Marleycombe, twisting and turning, the roar of the Merlin engine thundering over the ground.  After finishing with a victory roll, the Spitfire departed, leaving Chalke Valley the task of over-turning the Bunbury total.

It was a job made harder by the Bunburies insistence on fielding no less than fifteen players, but after a steady start against some lively bowling from Northants opener James Brookes and England U.21 goal-keeper, Joe Lewis,  runs started to flow.  After the openers fell, Marcus Marland and then skipper Dingle knuckled down, seeing off Peter Trego amongst others before tucking into some gentler Bunbury bowling.  At the close, Chalke Valley had made a respectable 220-5, with the skipper not out on 67 and with Chimp Jeffery hitting an enormous six into the wheat field.  Had there been fewer fielders, the target may well have been over-hauled.

As the sun lowered in the west, and the people began to melt away, the great day finally drew to a close – a day that will not be forgotten by anyone involved with the Club.

That it was such a success was in part due to the Bunburies, who more than lived up to their pledge, but also down to the army of helpers, including Captain Tom Perrott and his men of the King’s Royal Hussars.  Most of all, however, it was down to the Club Chairman and the Grand Opening Committee who worked tirelessly over many days, weeks and months to create what was a more than fitting opening to a wonderful new venture.  Thank you.