Somerset cricket mad Stuart Tudball, a lifelong fan of the Cidermen and stalwart member Minehead Cricket Club, is an upholsterer by trade and over the last few months has produced some wonderful bespoke pieces of furniture that he has donated to the Somerset Cricket Foundations for fundraising, writes Richard Walsh.

Lot 1 is a large chair and footstool to celebrate Sir Vivian Richards’ number one status for the Legend’s wall. It is also topical, as Somerset County Cricket Club and the Somerset Cricket Foundation are about to launch a series of events over the summer months to remember and reawaken the Windrush story (National Windrush day June 22) and to celebrate Somerset’s own rich Caribbean legacy.

Lot 2 is a medium chair and footstool, to celebrate Sir Vivian Richards’ lifelong friendship with Lord Ian Botham, both of whom made their respective debuts for Somerset just over 50 years ago- and Stuart was there!

Images for both the above items have been provided by SCCC and transferred on to fabric to create these unique masterpieces and Stuart is a huge fan of Sir Viv and Lord Botham, so it has been a real labour of love.

Lot 3 are two T20 Vitality Blast 2023 Champions dining chairs, one with the image showing skipper Lewis Gregory lifting the trophy and the other detailing the round-by-round match summary.

Lot 4 is one solid dining T20 Vitality Blast Champions dining chairs, which has an image of the winning team and facsimile autographs and the sponsors logo.

Funds raised by the sales of these items will be used to deliver various Somerset Cricket Foundation’s Community Engagement programmes and a percentage will also be donated to the Prostate Cancer UK charity as requested by Stuart.

The items are currently being displayed in the Somerset Cricket Museum and around the Cooper Associates County Ground.

Any individuals or cricket clubs or businesses that would like to express an interest in purchasing these fantastic item(s) should please send their bid by midday on June 24, just after National Windrush weekend to:

Mustafa Shaikh – Community Activation Officer

mustafa.shaikh@somersetcricketfoundation.org

Please remember to state the following clearly- 

Name/Email/Contact details.

Lot number(s) bid for, and amount offered.

The highest bidder will be contacted (subject to reserve price met), and payment kindly requested to the Somerset Cricket Foundation.

Once payment is received – winning bidder must make appropriate arrangements to collect item(s).

For more information about the Foundation visit the website: https://somersetcricketfoundation.org