One of the few cricket festivals to survive the modern era, Cheltenham retains many of the old fashioned traditions that are sadly diminishing in the county game.

As a visitor to the festival, one could say that a day of watching it rain was a disappointment. As the Hampshire scorer with his team doing nicely, I would rather be scoring the exploits and recording the points that could see us promoted to the CricInfo Championship Division One.

However, avoiding the periods of heavy showers, one can stroll around this pretty ground, talking to friends, having a glass of wine from people in sponsors marquees, and chatting about days gone bye, and enquiring of me, as if I was God, as to when the rain would stop. One man approached me on my vigil around the ground. "I've often seen you around, are you a Hampshire supporter?" enquired the elderly gentleman. "No sir", I replied, "they support me".

Apart from the food and drink outlets that are in abundance at the ground, there were a few fascinating tents. The Gloucestershire shop did not have quite the presence of their purpose-made outlet at Bristol, but there was an excellent selection of books, many with a Hampshire content. Perhaps I should not say this, but I purchased a 1962 Hampshire Yearbook, one that celebrates the clubs 100th anniversary for £6. Looking in cricket book catalogues in the pristine condition of this one, I would expect normally to pay £25-30 for the self same item.

Having sheepishly slipped away from that tent, I moved into 'Jack' Russell's Gallery. 'Jack' of course has made a reputation as an artist, and you can see why. Some wonderful prints of his work, of grounds and characters - not all cricket I may add – were on show. Of course I looked for anything that may have a Hampshire connection, and for £95 was tempted by a limited edition item of Broadhalfpenny Down. I am here for another couple of days, so I may return. I'd better ask the wife first.

There was another gallery next door, where the paintings of Jocelyn Galsworthy and Terry Harrison were in abundance. Again temptation was rife in my mind, but my study is bursting with cricket prints at home, including my pride and joy the limited edition print of L.S.Lowry's Lancashire League, a much sought after and hard to find item. I won't tell you how much that cost!

Whilst in that display another heavy shower came over, so I spent time talking to the proprietor about a number of cricket subjects. His friend and helper, a former teacher who taught some of the Gloucestershire players of the past, was also very articulate in her knowledge of the game.

Shower over, I then met a man who sells cigarette cards; cricket, horse racing, aeroplanes etc. - some loose some framed. £25 for a framed set of 25 Hampshire Test players – reasonable, but, oh dear, do I have the room to put it somewhere? My wife will be wealthy when I pass on, if I keep buying this memorabilia. We talked again for some time, before I returned to the dressing room for a cup of tea and sandwich, to be informed by umpire Ray Julian that the match had been called off for the day.

A long day waiting for play to start was certainly not boring, I did bring a copy of the Alan Edwards book just out this week on Lionel Tennyson, but despite the rain I was too busy to read it today.

A wet day at the festival; but an enjoyable one.

© CricInfo Limited