Scorching temperatures, flowing pints, a rejuvenated former captain and a Gloucestershire win as Sport and Life takes in the sensational scene at Cheltenham College.
Former Captain brings the coffee
Following on from our bucolic outing at the Polo in Cirencester, we took the Sport and Life gazebo to the Cheltenham Cricket Festival in the uber scenic environs of Cheltenham College on Sunday August 9th.
There proved to be a healthy appetite for our complementary mini newspapers, which were headlined by an interview with the upbeat Gloucestershire head coach Mark Alleyne.
The fans also showed huge hunger for the sensational food on offer – from donuts to burgers to falafels.
The beer marquee belonging to local company Iglu Bars featured an ever-increasing queue as the sun beat down.
But early doors on that fine Sunday, coffee was the order of the hour. And people in need of a caffeine hit flocked to JACKS Coffee Shack.
We caught up with the man heading the family-run business – none other than former Gloucestershire Captain Chris Dent.
Dent, a classy left-handed batsman, retired last year due to stress-related issues.
It was uplifting to find him loving life again, enjoying growing JACKS and also back coaching cricketers.
Watch or listen to the full chat with Chris Dent below:
The College Head is a big fan
The Cheltenham Cricket Festival has been going since 1872. It’s the longest event of its kind. And it’s testament to a powerful collaboration between the cricket club and Cheltenham College.
For many years now the nuts and bolts have been put together expertly by the effervescent octogenarian Chris Coley.
The college’s new head Chris Townsend has certainly been more than happy to support the union.
Townsend played first class cricket in his Oxford days and it was great to talk with him about the importance of sport for young people.
“Cricket has been a huge part of my life, Townsend told Sport and Life.
“This is one of the most iconic venues to host county cricket. We want people to come and see the facilites we have here at the college.
“But also for us to contribute something to life in Cheltenham is something I’m really excited about.”
Cheltenham College is renowned for the level of its teams in sports like cricket, rugby and field hockey.
But Townsend says the key is just sowing the seed in the students’ minds that regular movement is part of a happy and healthy life.
“Sport is really important for our identity as a school. But we want the students to understand the importance of health and fitness after they leave.
“For some that might be a park run or going to the gym or going to pilates. For their health and fitness and especially their mental health.
“We’re trying to get students to enjoy sports so it’s something they carry on throughout their lives.”
Townsend is certainly leading by example. As well as still playing cricket he’s become a keen long distance runner in recent years – so look out for him putting the miles in around Cheltenham.
Is all change good?
The food, beer and coffee was top notch. And the cricketing action didn’t let the side down either. A compelling one-day contest unfolded on the heat-scorched grass between Glos and Nottinghamshire.
Former Worcestershire pro Mark Scott was among the throngs enjoying the spectacle. A traditionalist he spoke to Sport and Life about his deep dislike of 20-20 cricket and his visceral repulsion at the even shorter Hundred.
Watch or listen to the full chat with Mark Scott below:
A home win to cap a fine day
Scott no doubt enjoyed the thrilling finale – though as a Worcestershire man probably not the result – as Gloucestershire won the game with only five balls remaining.
As we trudged happily through the exit with the thousands of satiated and some well-oiled cricket fans there was a mood of humming contentment.
Yes, there were a few sun-pinked folks who might have preferred cooler temperatures than the near 100-Fahrenheit conditions.
But deep down surely we were all grateful for the sun? Remember rain is cricket’s Kryptonite.
