Members

Counties - Media Guide to the Grounds

Nottinghamshire by Simon Cleaves

Email Simon on: simon@bowlesassociates.com

Nottingham (Trent Bridge)

Directions

Ground Facilities

Refreshments

Accommodation

Leisure

The city centre has got masses of options depending what you’re looking for. My personal favourite is the Pitcher & Piano – a converted church - on the edge of the Lace Market.

Restaurants - Hart’s in the city centre is very good, or there’s World Service (oriental) and Sat Bains (expensive). You’ll find just about every type of food you could ask for in the City Centre.

Cinemas/theatres/concert halls/live music/nightclubs, etc. - The Cornerhouse has a 12 screen cinema, or the Broadway and Screen Room will show more independent films. Nottingham Arena has musicals, shows, comedy and concerts. Stand-up comedy at Cabaret and Jongleurs. Live music at Rock City. Theatre Royal and The Nottingham Playhouse are the two main theatres in town.

Local sights worth seeing on a rainy day/summers night? - You’ve got the Galleries of Justice, Nottingham Castle.

Nearby golf courses - Ruddington Grange is very popular. But if you want a good round at a discount, try talking to the Radcliffe Road Centre manager Tom Paterson about a round at Cotgrave.

Swimming pools/gyms, etc. - Rushcliffe Leisure Centre is less than 10 minutes drive from the ground if you want to have a swim. There’s a gym under the Radcliffe Road Stand, but if you’re a member of David Lloyd’s there’s a gym 10 minutes away off Loughborough Road and a Roko on Wilford Lane.

Hotels - The Lace Market Hotel on High Pavement in the city centre is a little quirky but at the higher end of the market. 0115 852 3232. The Premier Travel Inn on London Road will give you everything you need and is 10 minutes walk from the ground. £55 a night. 0870 990 6574. "The Gallery" in Bridgford Road (B&B) was run by Don Masson, the former Derby County, QPR and Scotland footballer (0115 981 3651) - recommended by William Powell but the footballer has moved out of town to start another guest house.

Nearest place to buy newspapers/batteries etc. - The small Co-op on Bridgford Road will have everything you need in terms of newspapers, batteries etc.

Food/drink arrangements in box - If you’ve got your press pass you get a free hot lunch and tea and coffee all day. Food is very good, with a good selection of freshly cooked dishes every day.

Local boozers - Depends how far you want to go. On the ground you have the Larwood and Voce or the Trent Bridge Inn (TBI) or the Squash Club bar. Just before the bridge there’s a sports bar called the Southbank, or you can head into West Bridgford to the Stratford Haven or the Test Match. On Radcliffe Road there’s a wine bar called Amici. If anyone has any special recommendations please get in touch.

Local sandwich bars/delis/supermarkets - A few to choose from: Musters Road has a cheap and cheerful sandwich bar called Mrs Bunns. If you want to wander into West Bridgford, you’ll find Bar Des Amis and a nice but expensive deli called No 8 a little bit further on. There are two Co-op’s – a small one next to the ground and a big supermarket down Bridgford Road just before you reach the shops.

Car parking arrangements – We have spaces allocated in the TBI car park. If you’ve got an ECB pass then you’ve got no problem. For those without, contact me at the ground and I can organise a press pass which includes a parking space.

Description of box - Regarded as one of the best in the country. On the first floor of the Radcliffe Road Centre. Great views of the action, air con, TV and the restaurant just behind it. In 2010 the press box has been refurbished with new tables, chairs, carpeting and of course a lick of white paint.

Name and number of PA contact/local paper contact - That would be me. Mobile: 07984 646024

The name of scorer - Gordon Stringfellow (or Stringy, as he’s known to everyone). 10/10 – he’ll answer any of your queries and even summarise play for you if you happen to have been away from the action for any reason. Just give him a couple of minutes after a batsman’s out before you bother him. You can call him from the box on 245 on the internal telephone.

Name of PR contact - Mike Temple or see above for details. Telecom arrangements in box - There’s masses of phone points but you may need to arrange to have a line connected through BT. You also need some special adaptors to connect your phone or modem, which I look after.Power arrangements in box - Power sockets for every seat.

Heat/cold/light/environmental - We’ve got air con but it can get a little bit hot if the sun’s out all day. The front row of seats gets a lot of glare in the sun. There are windows at either side of the box if you want fresh air or to hear a bit of the match atmosphere.

Perennial problems - The public address system is overpowering. You do get useful info like details of a batsman’s 50 or 100 but also a lot of unnecessary and loud announcements. Sadly, there’s no way to turn the volume down. Secure wireless access available via "pressonly".

The Cricket Writers' Club archive is situated in a cabient in the Press Box, together with a number of pictures and the club honours board which was previously sited at Lord's in the former Warner Stand Press Box.

Trent Bridge is on the south side of the River Trent in West Bridgford. You can come in on the A52 through Radcliffe or from the A453. Public transport from station - There’s plenty of taxis at the train station, although if you’re feeling fit and it’s a nice day you could walk to the ground in 15 minutes. Turn left out of the station, take the first left and carry on to the main road. Turn right on what is London Road, keep going, cross the Trent and the ground is on your left.

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