Last night, 1,200 people gathered at the Grosvenor House to celebrate Sir Ian Botham's knighthood and to raise money for 3 great causes: Leukaemia Research, English School's Cricket Association and Crossroads Centre. The guest list included some of the greatest players in so many sports - Ian of course, and his close friend Viv Richards sat on the top table with Eric Clapton and Charlie Watts - if that wasn't enough, Sam Torrance and Sunil Gavaskar made up our numbers. When the team photograph was taken on stage, these greats were joined by Gatting, Gower, Tuffnell, Jason Leonard, Matt Dawson, Thompson, Marsh, Willis, Mark Foster and countless others I can't remember, but who on any other night would have been the guests of honour.
The evening opened with the Band of the Irish Guards playing Land of Hope and Glory as Ian and his wife Kathy headed towards the top table. The entertainment continued on through the evening, ending with a superlative performance by the legendary Eric Clapton, who not only gave his services free, but allowed me to auction one of his famous guitars which raised £40,000 - part of the £206,500 raised in the auction. Among the other auction Lots, which is certain to cause amazement in press circles, was Piers Morgan's bid of £12,000 to edit The Mirror for one day. I can't wait. The evening will have probably have raised around a million pounds for the three charities that Ian supports. Mary and I crept off at 1am, but I'm told the last guests were seen leaving around 4am, and that several of them were due to have breakfast with Ian this morning.
Today I'm taking Barry Humphries up to Cambridge, so that Dame Edna can open the Addenbrooke's Open Day tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock. Any Cambridge readers, make sure you're there because she's bringing along buckets of Gladioli to throw at you. Have a good weekend.
The evening opened with the Band of the Irish Guards playing Land of Hope and Glory as Ian and his wife Kathy headed towards the top table. The entertainment continued on through the evening, ending with a superlative performance by the legendary Eric Clapton, who not only gave his services free, but allowed me to auction one of his famous guitars which raised £40,000 - part of the £206,500 raised in the auction. Among the other auction Lots, which is certain to cause amazement in press circles, was Piers Morgan's bid of £12,000 to edit The Mirror for one day. I can't wait. The evening will have probably have raised around a million pounds for the three charities that Ian supports. Mary and I crept off at 1am, but I'm told the last guests were seen leaving around 4am, and that several of them were due to have breakfast with Ian this morning.
Today I'm taking Barry Humphries up to Cambridge, so that Dame Edna can open the Addenbrooke's Open Day tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock. Any Cambridge readers, make sure you're there because she's bringing along buckets of Gladioli to throw at you. Have a good weekend.
3 Comments:
Mr Archer,
I just learnt that you are likely to come to Madras/Chennai for a book signing programme.
I was wondering if you would like to also visit the 150 year old University of Madras one of the three oldest in the country.
Being a great fan of your writing it would indeed be an honour to welcome you. Would you be able to fit the visit into your schedule? You would be the only GUEST OF HONOUR...that's a promise!!! Fan at UNOM
Hello Jeffrey
Thanks to your blog, I find myself signed up to walk 5 miles through Mugdock Country Park, a lovely park near Glasgow, with Sir Ian for Leukaemia Research.
To take part, I have to raise £250 sponsorship...can I put you down for £10?!
Kind regards
David
anonymous - Well done! I'll be happy to sponsor you - email me the details to - questions@jeffreyarcher.co.uk
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