HOW wise and heart-warming it was of Somerset cricket to reject those dubious moves 15 years ago to shift Taunton’s lovely county cricket ground to some soulless, out-of-town ‘stadium’ (Looking Back, Gazette, September 8).

How many county clubs must envy Somerset’s decision to stay-at-home when all about were losing their heads – and grounds as well as income – and moving to some bland, featureless pitch on a noisy and fume-filled field alongside the M5?

These days we see enough of crackpot ideas dreamed up perhaps by some slick money-driven entrepreneur.

Not only have Somerset decided that home is best, but also proved it in that they are one of the few county cricket clubs who make a profit.

And the cricket’s not bad either judging by recent epic performances against Durham and Warwickshire.

A ground with fine views of surrounding hills and churches epitomises what is finest about English – and Somerset cricket. Maybe even romantic.

Having first watched Somerset slaughter the Indian tourists by an innings and 33 runs way back in 1946, seen Keith Miller use one of my tennis balls to bowl at Mickey Walford when the Aussies were here in 1948, and having played regularly at the county ground for Taunton, it’s no wonder its a spiritual home for me and thousands of others.

But when, please, will we win that elusive county championship title? It’s about time after more than 100 years of trying.

BASIL TRUMP
Taunton