THE Cheltenham Festival is bubbling. Gloucestershire’s victory over Glamorgan brought us welcome points but too much of the cricket was poor, as was the umpiring.

Both sides suffered with our Welsh friends having the worst of it.

But the T20 match against Middlesex on Friday brought the College Ground to life.

This explosive entertaining game was a fine example of the best in limited overs cricket.

The fielding was outstanding as was the batting. The bowling standards slipped at times but with boundaries flying everywhere who cared.

A capacity crowd contributed to the occasion being properly appreciative of the outstanding efforts of both sides. Of course, Gloucestershire could have won the game which ended in a tie, but so could Middlesex.

For all of us there it was a marvellous afternoon.

At Bristol on Sunday England’s women beat Australia in the closest of games at the World Cup. There was a large crowd and the Brightside Ground looked in splendid nick.

It was a bonus to see Marie Journeaux presenting the “Player of the Game Award”.

Marie, our first ever woman president, is performing her duties at both Cheltenham and Bristol with an easy grace.

Her connection with the festival is a long one and she is perfectly demonstrating her pride in our county and of holding her current position. She is the warm and attractive face of Gloucestershire cricket.

Someone who certainly would not claim to be attractive is county chairman Roger Cooke.

Roger chaired an amiable members’ forum where the most pertinent comment was not a question but an observation.

Roger Gibbons, known to many as “The Acre Street Archivist” queried the absence of members of the executive board. Chairman Cooke had received minimal support.

The meeting ended with warm applause for Chris Coley who had worked so industriously as the architect of this year’s festival.

Matches at Cheltenham against Worcester are always a delight. They bring so many interesting guests.

Sunday saw Duncan Fearnley who is so much more than a cricket bat manufacturer and Roy Booth who kept wicket honourably for 'The Pears’ for so many years.

On Tuesday I met up with former England spin bowler Norman Gifford. He and I go back to 1959.

I close my Festival comments with another catering comment. The new pub/restaurant ‘Cow Corner’ is first class. The food village less so.

Their cheese burgers were dry and neither onions nor mustard was available. Mrs Light was somewhat displeased.

It is to be hoped that Cirencester CC cricketers are not. They may have lost at Dumbleton but so many at Cheltenham told me what a remarkable game it was. Losing with two balls remaining is no disgrace.

The good news from Cirencester Rugby Club is that coach Andy Deacon is remaining in charge. He is the focal point of the club’s playing side and under ‘Deacs’ there may well be a meaningful promotion challenge.

Football has to intrude this week because of the cruel and crass decision by Forest Green Rovers to ease Richard Joyce out of his role as press officer. Apparently, someone with more experience is needed.

Anyone who knows ‘Joycie’ will know how he is capable of growing with the job. In recent years, he has been at the heart of Forest Green.

What is happening to the human side of the club?

Fortunately cricket still has a heart – on the field and on the boundary.

STOP PRESS.

THERE is news of Sri Lankan Thisara Perera who has been signed by Gloucestershire for the T20 Blast campaign.

I understand there have been visa problems which explain his absence for the opening game against Middlesex but he hopes to arrive in time to play against Kent on Thursday and be available for the remainder of our T20 games.