Lords Long Room Lunch 2015
View 17 photosGlenn McGrath, Jonathan Trott, Alec Stewart and Jonathan Agnew
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On a blistering day at Lords, our third annual Long Room Lunch took place with the focus being the summer Ashes series. We were thrilled to have another brilliant line-up, with the event being hosted by BBC Test Match Special broadcaster, the unflappable Jonathan Agnew. Australian fast bowling legend, and terroriser of many an England batsman, Glenn McGrath, was joined by triple Ashes winning England hero Jonathon Trott, and all-time English Test caps record holder Alec Stewart.
Many of our guests arrived early to enjoy a guided tour of the ‘Home of Cricket’ which took in many of the most important areas of the old ground. A trip down to the England changing room was a treat, and everyone particularly enjoyed seeing the fabled urn in the Cricket Museum.
After a reception drink, and group photographs with our VIP guests, everyone moved through to be seated for a sumptuous three course lunch, served with the usual style and aplomb by the attentive staff in the Long Room. The stunning views from the Long Room over the pitch and the grandstands to the new Media Centre were captivating in the summer sun. Some of cricket’s finest artwork adorns the walls of the Long Room, with the haughty gazes of past great mingling with more recent legends such as Shane Warne and Sir Ian Botham.
By the time Aggers welcomed the guests to the stage, the atmosphere in the room was buzzing. After introducing our panel of speakers, Glenn McGrath opened proceedings with an eloquent, if partisan, prediction that England would lose 10-0, which had our audience chuckling. Hearing one of the finest bowlers in the history of the game talking about his many Ashes skirmishes was a pleasure, even if he was part of an Australian side that vanquished England on many occasions!
Another man with a fine Ashes record, Jonathan Trott has done more than most to restore England’s place as one of the world’s best Test sides. Articulate and understated, Jonathan was a fine foil for the men either side of him, and his honest reflections on his England career were captivating. His analysis of the upcoming Ashes series was reassuring for England’s followers in the room.
Always the consummate professional, elder statesman of the English game, Alec Stewart, had our guests chuckling with some ascerbic one-liners. Showing all his vast experience as one of England’s longest-serving stars, he gave some superb insights into the current England set-up, and the chances of overcoming a typically powerful looking Australian side. With Aggers ably managing proceedings, Alec gave as good as Glenn when it came to the banter and rivalry.
A highly classy event was given an extra touch of glamour with a stunning perfomance from classical crossover singer Amelia Whiteman, a tour de force of vocal power (without a mike!), incuding an unforgettable rendition of ‘Nessun Dorma’, and a traditional Maori folk piece in honour of a guest visiting from New Zealand. We won’t name them, but so moving was her perfomance, that one or two of our guests were seen wiping away a tear!
We also chose this day to launch a new Gala Events feature: ‘Lucky Dip’. This is a video interview with our star guests in which we ask them questions picked at random from a selection put forward by our clients. The video at the top of the page shows Glenn McGrath answering our clients’ questions on a range of cricketing matters.
All in all, another superb day at the Home of Cricket; our thanks go to host Jonathan Agnew, our three outstanding speakers, and the Long Room staff for making the day run so smoothly.
