AROUND 150 members and guests attended the official opening of the new pavilion at Malvern Ramblers Cricket Club on recently, where ECB chairman Lord MacLaurin accepted the invitation to perform the ceremony.

Also in attendance during the opening ceremony were Club President George Chesterton, District Council Chairman Mrs Pat Raven, the Mayor of Malvern Mr David Williams and Club Chairman Ian Dovey.

Amongst other guests who attended were President of Worcestershire County Cricket Club Mr Roy Booth along with his wife Mrs Joyce Booth and Chairman of the Cricket Committee of Worcestershire County Cricket Club Mr Martin Horton along with his wife Mrs Margaret Horton. Other guests included committee members of the Midlands Club Cricket Conference, the Worcestershire Cricket Board along with representatives from, the Worcestershire County League and the Worcestershire Friendly Sunday League.

The evening began with the unveiling of the plaque and cutting of the tape to the entrance of the new pavilion by Lord MacLaurin. Who had previously given a short speech to congratulate everybody involved in the construction of a magnificent facility to enable cricket to be played in marvellous surroundings and on a playing surface and outfield that looked like a county ground!

There followed a 20-overs-a-side match between a Malvern Ramblers XI and an invitation XI, from clubs within the Malvern Hills area, who played in a friendly atmosphere and which the hosts won convincingly.

Also the Ladies Committee raffled a giant teddy bear which was won by the Mayor, Mr David Williams.

The committee and members of Malvern Ramblers Cricket Club would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in making this event happen over the last five years. From when the decision was taken to go ahead with the new building project, to last January when the building started, to the present where we now have one of the best sporting facilities in the area.