Almost 180 people attended the Launch Lunch for Rob Turner's Benefit Year which was held in the Colin Atkinson Pavilion at Taunton earlier today.

As guests made their way to the pavilion they couldn't help feeling that the new season was just around the corner with the smell of new mown grass in the air and the square and outfield looking almost dry enough to play upon.

Master of Ceremonies Malcolm Kennedy greeted guests and said that he felt it was entirely appropriate that the Queen's Golden Jubilee should coincide with Rob Turner's Benefit, and that the large number who had attended the lunch had got his year off to a flying start.

Amanda Barrie, who for many years played the part of Alma Baldwin in television's longest running soap Coronation Street, told all those present that until last season she had always been a football fan, supporting Manchester City.

However Amanda had been converted to cricket after going to the Lord's final in September 2001 and watching Rob Turner take the skied catch that put the Cidermen on the road to victory.

"From that time I was hooked, totally hooked, and now I'm a Somerset supporter," she told everybody present.

The main speaker at the lunch was Lord King of Bridgwater, who paid tribute to the contribution that Rob had made to cricket and to his dedication to Somerset.

"It is a pleasure to support a Somerset stalwart and a very talented cricketer," King said.

Lord King recalled that the first match that he had seen was between Somerset and Gloucestershire and had involved Arthur Wellard, Harold Gimblett and Horace Hazell and Wally Hammond.

The former Bridgwater MP said that over the years he had seen a number of wicket-keepers play for the county, and that Rob was following in the great tradition of Somerset keepers. He was certainly the tallest and probably one of the best that Somerset had ever produced.

In reply, Rob Turner said that he felt that his time at the club had flown by. He too recalled the Lord's final of 2001 and said that he had a dream that he would one day win silverware with Somerset and last year that dream had come true.

He concluded by thanking everybody for their support and saying that the mood in the camp was very postive and that "the victory last season was just the start of things to come."

The luncheon concluded with an auction of cricketing memorabilia, including a stump from the 2001 Cheltenham and Gloucester final that sold for £700, and a raffle.

The next event in Rob'b Benefit Year is a Golf Day at Teignmouth Golf Club on April 18th, details of which can be obtained from Doreen Barnes on 01455 230489.

© SOMERSET