2009-09-01 12:56:02 -
Eric Clapton sets his field earnestly, as if waiting to receive the opening ball of the Ashes series, whilst fellow skipper David English keeps the camp fires warm by the boundary. David ensures suitable entertainment for the expectant batsmen, offering some unprecedented anecdotes selected from his time as President of RSO Records...
This year’s Eric Clapton X1 match, played at Cranleigh School in July was Eric’s third fixture since returning in 2003 to the Bunbury Cricket Club project. During the game EC demonstrated some acquired pearls of wisdom, captaining a somewhat unconventional side of around twenty players, his overall technique has improved remarkably and he looks entirely at home both on and off the field. Eric’s Sinatra style ‘farewell’ games are undoubtedly becoming as much a part of the terra firma of the Bunbury’s experience as the annual bash at Grosvenor House at the inception of each spring season.
With EC’s cricketing skills still maturating, without a doubt, David English’s powers of narration have also reached a subtle pinnacle in 2009 too.
In fact, many games this summer season have been concluded amid the warmth of the metaphorical tribal fires, as David conveys to a captive audience some of his greatest encounters with the mercurial characters of the media world, as the likes of Bill Wyman and Jeff Thomson listen selectively. Having read David’s two evocative autobiographies, ‘Mad Dogs and the Englishman’ and ‘Confessions of a Dedicated Englishman it is possible to make educated interpretations on these delightfully impressionistic, hedonistic tales- from an episode with ‘The King’ Elvis Presley, incidental altercations with those mischievous Bee Gees, to scenes of culminatory shoot outs; when Mr. English chooses to articulate his animated internal world, he simply becomes a Pandora’s box of surprises!
Robert Stigwood conveyed to me a few years ago, that not all of David’s stories are true in every minor detail, (more sincere in gist). This advice is undoubtedly true because it is definitely the spirit and gist of David’s tales that capture the imagination and hearts of all those who frequent the Bunbury games. This year the Bunbury Cricket Club has enjoyed a renaissance in many respects, not least of all in establishing an intimate sense of community at our pro-celebrity matches, played throughout the summer season. Invariably each game is characterised by a challenging odyssey to locate the ground amid many obscure highways and byways of the UK, with a high proportion of matches ultimately located near the ‘Surrey Delta’ region.
This year’s May ball titled the ‘Bunbury Bashes’ at Grosvenor House provided an unforgettable tribute to the Ashes competition, delivered in formidable style. The event anticipated the remarkable efforts of the England team this summer, and also reflected the extent to which we should remember the role of the Bunburys Under 15’s ESCA festival in ensuring continued talent for future generations. The Bunbury’s ethos of inclusivity, coupled with that certain fighting spirit has without a doubt proven inspirational for the England Cricket team. The function of David English’s empire extends broadly from the nurturing of future cricketing talent, to the innovative fusion of the allied worlds of sport and music.
In recent years, not only has EC returned as a senior member of the Bunbury’s initiative, but Bill Wyman and more latterly Roger Daltrey, have also put in strategic appearances at matches, effecting an ‘Indian summer’ in their cricketing careers. Eric has performed his magic and offered two wonderful concerts to the Bunbury’s faithful and we have also seen the splendour or Robin Gibb and band at the 21st anniversary bash. It would certainly be marvellous to hear the inimitable grooves of Bill Wyman and his Rhythm Kings at the bashes in 2010! In fact, with the Ashes victory secure, I’m sure there will be some unique treats for the duration of next season, as the game of cricket continues to maintain a cultural stronghold and the eccentric genius of the Bunbury Cricket Club grows from strength to strength. In the past 23 years, the Bunburys have raised some 12 million for major charities including Leukaemia Research, Breast Cancer UK, English Schools Cricket Association, Aspire, the RNLI and the Crossroads Clinic, Antigua. Congratulations to Dr. David English and the many Bunbury players and organisers who continue to actualise this potentially fictional initiative into a larger than life reality.
For more information on the Bunbury Cricket Club, please visit their new look site: -
www.bunburycricket.com
The 2009 National Bunbury ESCA day will be held at Lord’s Cricket Ground on 16th September.
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Feature: Stephanie Lynne Thorburn
Editor ‘Nuance’ webzine:
www.nuancewebzine.webs.com 
