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Arundel

Forget Glorious Goodwood, for me the place to be on a hot summer’s day was Arundel, the Castle Ground, which was hosting a 30 over match between the Duke of Norfolk’s XI and The Lords Taverners.

The  Lords Taverners had assumed the organisation and the match was a charitable fund raiser.

I decided to swerved the 2 hour lunch at £80 between innings in a marquee.

One of the better elements of growing old is that you do not feel obliged to attend events you do not enjoy and long cricketing lunches in a poorly-ventilated tent with an indifferent meal, long speeches, an auction and silly games like ‘heads and tails” are in that category.

Instead we sat under a tree and took in a view of what must be the one of the most beautiful grounds anywhere.

It is lined by old trees with one gap with a view over the South Downs and River Arun.

That the match was a celebrity one, with Mike Gatting and David Gower umpiring and ex-internationals in football and rugby – David Seaman and Rob Andrew featuring – was far less important than being in Arundel.

Sussex CCC had just been thrashed in three and a half days by Nottinghamshire coached by Peter Moores – the Sussex coach in the glorious noughties – and Marc Cucurellla of Brighton HAFC has put in a transfer request but, as my guest said, in such a serene and peaceful setting troubles seem to float away.

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About Ivan Conway

Ivan Conway will be reporting on Sussex sport. He is a member of the 1901 club at Brighton HAFC, Sussex County Cricket Club and an enthusiastic horse race goer. After selling his freight forwarding and conference business he settled in Hove. His other interests are bird watching, brass rubbing and bridge. More Posts