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. For two of them, he was joined by ex-club captain and current President Phil Neale.
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.
“I think there is an appetite there for it. There are some very nice comments from people who have attended the tours and some very favourable comments online.
“They have been very complimentary, and in fairness, it has been very well supported.
“A great number of people have attended, which is very gratifying. They show an interest in the history and heritage, ask some really nice questions.
“On the first two tours, we were accompanied by Club President Phil Neale, who I thought was tremendous and also added some value from when he played.
“We did five or six tours, and on Friday, there were 30-plus people on each tour. We’ve had some of the younger members participate as well, which has been lovely.
“I got the impression people gained a lot of knowledge from the tours. The feedback they gave me is on the lines of ‘I didn’t realise that’ or ‘that makes sense’.”
Jones added: “The exhibition in The View was equally well supported and consisted mainly of items normally held in store in The Hive.
“We had scorebooks from 1964 and 1965 Championship winning years. We had the 1964 one open on the appropriate page for the game, with Gloucestershire celebrating 60 years this weekend since we won the Championship for the first time.
“There were also some really nice old team photos right the way from 1899 to the present day.
“We had also had on display the sponsored shirts the players have worn from 1987 onwards just to see how they have changed over the years.”
Jones concluded: “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.
“From the exhibition and inflatable zone to the history tours and grounds talks, we had something for everyone, young and old. Seeing so many people of all ages engaging with the club, learning about its rich history, and creating new memories together was truly special.
“The cherry on top? A brilliant all-round performance on the pitch, culminating in an emphatic eight-wicket win over Kent. This victory wasn’t just about the game; it was a testament to the spirit and passion that defines the Club.
“Thank you to everyone who came out, supported, and celebrated with us. Here’s to many more events like this, where we continue to tell our story and bring our community closer together. ”
Other activities tied into the Red Ball Festival, which attracted great interest, 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.
Worcestershire CEO Ashley Giles and former Worcestershire Head Coach Kevin Sharp also discussed the importance of red ball cricket during fascinating talks staged in the BEARD Terrace.
