On the evening of Wednesday 25th June, Gosfield School was honoured to welcome cricketing royalty through its gates for what will long be remembered as one of the highlights of its annual sporting calendar.
Inviting the wider community to celebrate alongside families and friends, the school hosted An Evening with Graham Gooch and Guests, featuring none other than the legendary Graham Gooch OBE—arguably one of the greatest batsmen the world has ever seen—alongside international stars, Sam Billings and Simon Harmer.
Brilliantly hosted by the charismatic Phil Greenaway, the evening captivated a packed house of cricket enthusiasts, parents, school sponsors, alumni, pupils, and supporters from across the region. From anecdotes of Ashes glory to the mental toughness required at the highest level, Graham shared personal stories and reflections that spanned his illustrious career, leaving guests inspired, entertained, and frequently in stitches.
“Gosfield may be a school in the Essex countryside,” remarked one guest, “but tonight, it felt like the centre of the cricketing universe.”
Sam Billings added a fresh energy to the night, offering insights from the modern game and sharing what it’s like to play in the world’s most high-octane formats. Meanwhile, Simon Harmer spoke with poise and depth about the technical art of spin bowling and his experience balancing international cricket with the county game. The camaraderie between the players and the audience made for a relaxed and engaging evening that struck the perfect balance of insight, humour, and genuine love for the sport.
The evening formed part of Gosfield School’s inaugural Cricket Week—a celebration of the game that has grown in stature each year and now holds pride of place in the school’s event calendar. The occasion also gave the school and local community an opportunity to honour young talent, with recent centurion Freddie S—who made headlines with a stunning hundred against the touring MCC—being recognised on the night.
“This event wasn’t just about nostalgia,” said Rod Jackson, Principal of Gosfield School. “It was about connecting generations of cricket lovers, inspiring our students, and celebrating what sport can do to bring communities together. Hosting Graham, Sam, and Simon was a real privilege. To see them chatting with our pupils and parents after the formal part of the evening was something truly special.”
Guests also enjoyed a drinks reception, a wonderful buffet, good company, and a uniquely intimate atmosphere—thanks in part to the school’s beautiful setting and the exceptional efforts of the events and ground staff. Special recognition must go to the pioneer of Cricket Week itself, Director of Sport Ian Simpson, who had worked tirelessly to ensure the event’s success, alongside Ben Stephens, Head of Cricket, whose passion and leadership continue to elevate the school’s cricketing programme to new heights. The school also thanks Grays Teamsports for their unwavering support; as a proud Grays Flagship School, this event is the latest example of the ongoing encouragement and commitment Gosfield continue to receive from the Grays team.
With the bar set this high, attention has already turned to next year. “We’ve created something magical,” Rod continued. “Now the challenge is to go again and deliver something even bigger and better next summer. And knowing the team here, I think we just might.”
