Shropshire hospitality event proves a big hit with guests

Shropshire County Cricket Club hosted its annual hospitality day at Wrekin College on Thursday, which was attended by about 700 guests.

The event, which raised money for Shropshire Macmillan Cancer Support, celebrated its 12th year and as in previous years it sold out.

The event was once again sponsored by Shropshire company Pure Telecom and provides an excellent business networking opportunity while watching some first class cricket. Pure Telecom gave its backing to the prestigious event last year as part of a three-year sponsorship deal.

Matt Sandford, Pure Telecom CEO, said: "I have been coming to this event the last 12 years and it is outstanding.

"This event has to be the number one business social networking event in the calendar in Shropshire. You have literally got over 700 people here. What you have to remember is Shropshire is a massively entrepreneurial county so there is a lot of business owners here.

"Everyone is relaxed. Some people don't watch much cricket, some people watch a lot of cricket, but it has gone on for the last 12 years and it has sold out by April.

"This is the second year we have sponsored it. We love doing anything that is helping the community and this isn't just a few beers in a marquee. It is actually fundraising and raising money for local charities such as the local branch of Macmillan. It is also ploughing money into Shropshire cricket and developing the younger ones.

"For us it is a no-brainer. We are getting our brand out there and every single one out here could be a potential client whether you are a one man business or a multi-national business."

Toby Shaw, chairman of Shropshire Cricket Club, said: "The weather has made it and it is such a wonderful setting here.

"It has gone from strength-to-strength. You always wonder with these things they may just plateau but it hasn't and it is as popular as ever.

"You can see what the general support is. It is magnificent.

"When I joined the Shropshire Cricket Club committee we looked at the finances and realised we needed a further injection of money. So I devised an event and was given the task of organising it.

"It gives people the chance to meet and network in a social setting. It is an important day for the business community and it is a barometer of what we are all doing. We all need each other and people recognise that. It also gives me the opportunity to showcase the county club and how well we are doing."

Former Kent and England cricket captain Chris Cowdrey was master of ceremonies while a performance from TV comedy impressionist Kevin Connelly was a big hit.

Shropshire also played two Twenty20 matches against an Invitation XI featuring international cricketers, including experienced former India Test batsman Wasim Jaffer.