Michael's Getty Day
June 2008 - Lady Getty's Private Estate, Buckinghamshire
In June, Wormsley Park was the setting for another successful benefit event, this time a six-a-side cricket tournament featuring teams of amateurs each supplemented by a gnarled old pro. The ground - based inside the 2,500-acre Buckinghamshire estate which Getty left to his third wife, Victoria - annually play host to a number of important first-class fixtures, and is revered by enthusiasts as one of the most beautiful pitches in the world.
Comments from the enthustiastic attendees included:
“We were all looking forward to the Getty day and it did not disappoint despite the curtailment of the cricket due to our lovely summer weather. It was a grey day from the start, but the setting was perfect and a dream for any cricket lover who enjoys the game and would just love their own ground. The groundsmen did a great job in getting the ground ready and we were entertained with some competitive but friendly cricket prior to, and just after, a scrumptious lunch. A highlight was seeing again the majestic talents of Dominic Ostler. Seeing some rare birds of the feathered variety, red kites, was also fascinating and provided good entertainment and fascination throughout the day. Shame we did not see a full day’s cricket but in such a wonderful setting, with good company, food, flowing drinks, excellent service and a short speech from Michael what more can one ask for? Wishing Michael a very successful benefit year - he deserves it” – Robert Crofts
“We arrived about 9.15 to be greeted by Lady Getty’s' staff who served us tea, coffee, juice and biscuits as we gazed at the stunning view of the park with red kites (amazing birds) flying over head, keeping a watchful eye on the groundsman, Simon, while looking for prey. When the cricket got underway, Pertemps, with Neil Carter, played Marsh, with Jonathan Trott, in what turned out to be a very close game. Next up was Sports HQ, Simon Millington’s team, including the man himself – Michael – and the fantastic added bonus of Dominic Ostler, against Paul Dudley's Diddlers who included Ant botha. This was another tight game with some stunning batting by Dominic who faced five balls and dispatched them for 4, 6,6,6,6, before retiring, as 25 was the limit for any batsman. The match included one absolutely brilliant catch by Michael who took it, landed on his bum and, in the wet outfield, skidded to within a foot of the boundary rope with his feet in the air.
The fun was then spoiled a little bit by the weather but Simon, the groundsman, had done a fantastic job to allow us to get any play at all. As the rain got heavier, we all retired to the marquee for a lovely lunch followed by a successful raffle for Leukemia research, featuring a winning bid from Michael’s aunty Julie for a signed bat to the delight of the rest of the family who were all there to support him – Pat, Terry, John and his Uncle Rob.
Cricket resumed after lunch in a light drizzle but, by the time two more
games had been completed, it had to be called off. So we all trouped off
for tea and another raffle before we all set off for a Thai restaurant where
a great evening of merriment took place.” – Alan and Jane
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| The Cast | The man himself |
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| The mighty Dom | The DJ |
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| Ray the Umpire | Neil and Ant |
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| Julie and Rob | |
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| Will we Play? | Play! |
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| Play some more | Conquering heroes |
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| Jane keeps score | Terry and friends |
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| The setting |
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