Three weeks today at the County Ground in Taunton Somerset will mark the Queens Golden Jubilee with their own day of celebration and with the new season almost underway in earnest the thoughts of Somerset Chief Executive are turning to this special occasion.

Out on the field Somerset Sabres will be taking on Yorkshire Phoenix who are likely to be out to seek revenge for the defeat they suffered at Bath last season, but events off the field are also likely to be of considerable interest to the significant numbers who are anticipated to turn up for what will be another special day for Somerset cricket.

Mr Anderson paid tribute to the `heroes of Somerset cricket' who will be presented with Golden Jubilee Awards during the tea interval on that day.

The Chief Executive told me: "Fifty years of service to your country is a tremendous achievement that we need to mark in a special way, which is why we designated fifty Golden Jubilee Awards. We have sought to award the medals to the unsung heroes who have kept their local cricket clubs going, many for at least fifty years some for a good deal longer."

In the morning the club's Annual Church Service will take place at St James Church, when the guest preacher will be former Sussex all rounder John Barclay .

Later in the day the new Sir Vivian Richards gates at the Priory Road entrance to the ground will be officially opened by the great man himself, and during the tea interval the Golden Jubilee Awards will be presented.

Mr Anderson concluded: "This will be a special day for the club, and we are hoping that our supporters will come along in force to help make this a really memorable occasion."

© SOMERSET