SCORES of people enjoyed a festival celebrating four-day cricket which has been called a resounding success".
Worcestershire’s Red Ball Festival of Cricket has been hailed as “a resounding success which deserves to be repeated” by the club’s Heritage Coordinator Tim Jones.
He played a vital role in some activities staged at Visit Worcestershire New Road during the Vitality County Championship with Kent.
A host of events were designed to promote four-day cricket to a wider audience and were excellently supported.
Jones organised and hosted several tours of New Road, highlighting key milestones in Worcestershire’s proud history.
An exhibition of rare archive Worcestershire CCC memorabilia seldom seen was also put together and hosted by Jones in the EBC Suite in The View, attracting many members and supporters again.
Jones said: “The Red Ball Festival has been a resounding success, and I’m sure it is something we will do again.
"This idea of trying to promote red ball cricket has been an excellent idea. I don’t think there is any doubt about that.
“People do have an interest in it, and it is some of those quirks of the game, the people connected with it, the moments the game has created that we like to tap into and celebrate the achievements of the well-known and not so well known Worcestershire players.”
Joe Tromans, head of Worcestershire’s commercial and partnerships, said: “Worcestershire County Cricket Club is more than just a team; it’s a legacy handed down through many years.
“We have to tell our story to the next generation so they too can fall in love with the club that has been cherished by so many.
“It’s been an incredible four days here at Visit Worcestershire New Road as we successfully hosted our first-ever Festival of Red Ball Cricket.
“Our Club has always been about more than just a cricket team—it’s a legacy that has been passed down through generations. This festival was our way of sharing that legacy with both our loyal supporters and the next generation of cricket fans."
Other activities tied into the Red Ball Festival, included inflatable bouncy castles, games in the Scoreboard Square, a fun flood board, a family fun trail, plus activities on the outfield with the Worcestershire Cricket Foundation.
A very popular feature was head grounds person Stephen Manfield explaining the art of preparing a four-day pitch on the square during one of the lunch intervals.
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