There is a chance to enjoy the thrills of Twenty20 cricket on the longest day at Bredon Cricket Club this week.
The club are marking the summer solstice with a friendly match against neighbours Alderton Wanderers.
The action at Hill Close starts at 6pm on Wednesday (June 21), and given the current balmy weather we are all set for a wonderful evening.
Spectators are most welcome.
Our clubhouse bar will be open throughout the match serving draught beer, lager, spirits, soft drinks and wine (including Prosecco) by the bottle or glass.
But please feel free to bring your own food, perhaps some strawberries to share, and enjoy a relaxing few hours of cricket at our attractive ground with its glorious views of Bredon Hill.
Watch out, too, for Bredon Hill’s own Twenty20 cricket tournament in August, when four local teams will battle it out for honours in the Bredon Hill Bash.
Everything fell into place for a perfect summer night at Hill Close.
Balmy June weather, mellow sounds from Cheltenham-based guitar band The Bridge, and the First XI’s 92-run home victory over local rivals Evesham combined to fabulous effect last night.
Members and guests were treated to some first-rate cricket and musical entertainment, and the bar stayed open into the long, light evening.
Last Sunday (June 4) the team visited a strong Elmley Castle side, with the home side coming out on top with a clear 50-run victory.
The Under 12s bounced back well the following Wednesday evening against Ashton-under-Hill when in rain at Hill Close they secured a 15-run victory, chasing down the visitors’ 263-4 with a score of 278, also for the loss of four wickets.
On Sunday, June 11, the team welcomed Dumbleton Lions to Hill Close, and having asked the visitors to bat first restricted them to 242-6 with their best bowling and fielding performance of the season.
Unfortunately, the batting did not reach the same standards and the loss of nine wickets restricted the score to 240, leaving Bredon just two runs short of their target in a very well contested game between two evenly matched sides.
Admission is free, members and non-members welcome, and our fully licensed bar will be open.
The band, who formed in 2001, have played hundreds of gigs across the UK and Europe.
They deliver a vibrant mix of music and showmanship that makes them popular across age groups.
Their playlist includes covers of popular numbers by the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Ed Sheeran, Paul Simon and the Undertones.
The band normally comprises Rob McEwan (vocals and guitar), Mark Nye (bass guitar and vocals), Frank Moran (guitar and vocals), and Mark Millward on drums, but on Saturday only Rob and one other band member will be performing at our intimate clubhouse venue.
It was also a good day for the Second XI, who won by seven wickets away at Halesowen.
The Third XI, the club’s development team, lost at home to Bewdley. The visitors reached a target of 131, revised because of poor weather, at a cost of just two wickets. The match was a valuable opportunity for two young Bredon players, Joe Hunt and Luke Plain, to get their first taste of senior cricket.
What a day! All those involved in making sure Bredon Cricket Club Tower Run 2017 was a huge success deserve all the praise they are getting.
And here is a brief review of what people have been saying about their day at Hill Close:
Such a great day! That route was amazing, tough but so beautiful. The entertainment after was perfect and the kids loved the bouncy castle… and I came away with a trophy ?????? Anna Midgley
Well, it was hot… but a great (steep) course and really well marshalled. Will be back next year, hopefully. Thanks to all involved in setting up and running the event. James Graham
Really good event. Very well organised. Well done all. Anne Sallis
Great day amazing route will definitely be back next year. Andy Foden
Really enjoyed it, especially the down hill section! Will be back next year! Laura Claire
Well done to the organisers. What a great atmosphere at the cricket club, and a fantastic route. DEFO do again next year! Anderson Hirst
Blummin hot, but really enjoyed it. It was a great event, really well organised. Super proud I ran the whole thing ???? xx Alice Clark
We just wanted to say what an amazing morning we had at Bredon! Thoroughly enjoyed it (especially the downhill!) and we’ll spread the word and be back next year. Kevin and Isobel McDowell
A massive well done and thank you to all who organised the first tower run. A great course and an even better social after. Roll on next year ??? Darren Gamble
Matt Baumber
A big thanks to everyone who organised and marshalled the Bredon Cricket Club Tower run today. I really enjoyed it hope to see you next year with a few more members from Kenilworth runners. Thank you, enjoy the bank holiday. Gail Bates
Travelled up from Cornwall for this event. Stayed with friends in Alderton. What a great run. Can’t believe it was the first time. It was so well organized, hats off to the team who put it together. A tough but excellent course. Would make a great winter headtorch race. Paul Gwynne
I’ve just about recovered from your run. Thank you for such a well organised event. See you next year ? David Jones
Ninety runners took up the challenge to run from the cricket club to Parson’s Folly on the 299m summit of Bredon Hill and back.
Blue skies and brilliant sunshine meant the conditions were ideal for spectators, but tough for the runners.
Nevertheless, Rob Bowery set a blistering pace, finishing the 10k run first with a time of 42 minutes.
First female runner across the line was Anna Midgeley, first male member of Bredon Cricket Club was Simon Booth, and first female member of Bredon Cricket Club was Laura Spence.
Organiser Jennie Warren said: “This is our first tower run, and we are delighted how well it went and with the complimentary remarks we have had from the runners.
“I want to thank everyone who helped set it up, and all those who took part.”
Everyone who finished the run received a finisher’s medal, and many stayed on after the run to enjoy an afternoon party at the cricket ground.
There was a barbecue, bouncy castle for younger children and first-class musical entertainment from the Malvern Hillbillies.
The clubhouse bar was open and a friendly cricket game was being played between Bredon and Alcester and Ragley.
Next year’s tower run is on May 27, 2018. Make a note in your diary!
Do you have any pictures of the run to share? Add the hashtag #TowerRun2017 to your posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and we’ll find them (see foot of this post for your pictures).
The First XI cemented their place at the top of Worcestershire County League’s Division Two today with a home win against Bromyard.
With the hosts posting 263 for 8 in dull, blustery conditions, Bromyard failed to respond, ending the match all out for 152.
It was Bredon’s fifth successive victory (last week’s match against Coombes Wood was rained off, and they are now 11 points clear of second placed Evesham.
A special mention for Kevin Wilkins’s mother-in-law who stepped in at the last minute to provide tea for the teams.
Her efforts was greatly appreciated by the players and tea rota organiser Lucy Washbourne.