Some would say that it’s just not cricket — and hundreds of the 18,000 members of the MCC, which owns Lord’s cricket ground, might well be among them.
That’s because of an extraordinary proposal which, I can disclose, is about to emerge from the home of cricket — to permit those with enough cash to jump the 30-year queue to join the club by paying a one-off fee of up to £80,000 for life membership.
Annual membership is normally £600. ‘It’s an astonishingly radical idea,’ one MCC stalwart tells me. ‘It’s a sad reflection on the game. If people have that kind of money they can hire a box at Lord’s and support the MCC in that way. Running a cricket ground is getting expensive and it’s not getting any cheaper.’
The MCC assures me that members will have their say, adding that the proposals will also allow existing members to opt for life membership, by paying a fee which will vary according to age, starting from about £7,000.
An extraordinary proposal is to emerge from the home of cricket to permit a jump of the 30-year queue to join the club by paying a one-off fee of up to £80,000 for life membership
‘It will go to members shortly and then through the AGM,’ says a spokesman. ‘ The date will be con – firmed very shortly.’ Henry ‘Blowers’ Blofeld, who retired in 2017 just short of a half century in the Test Match Special commentary-box, acknowledges that the proposal will be particularly dismaying for those who’ve been on the club’s waiting-list for decades.
‘Yes, of course, people are going to be unlucky,’ Blowers tells me from Norfolk. ‘But these are the times we live in. Just as we may hate lock-down, it’s going to be much better at the end of the day to be alive rather than dead.
‘I think we’ve all got to go through something pretty unpleasant. The economy is going to be ghastly. Heaven knows what we’re going to have to put up with. ‘I’m 80 so I’m not going to be alive very much longer anyway, but at least we are around. We are very lucky. It’s a pragmatic decision.’
The MCC, aware that those on the candidates’ list may feel they’ve been unfairly run out, emphasises that they, too, are eligible to opt for the 1,500 or so life memberships which are up for grabs. ‘The expectation is that some candidates will take it up,’ I’m told.
Cooped up Kid is ready to put her foot down
Racing driver Jodie Kidd says she can’t wait to hit the road again when lockdown is lifted.
‘I’d probably get in my BMW M5 and I’m just going to tear it up around the countryside — and not break the speed limit of course,’ she tells me.
‘I’m just going to put the tunes on and go somewhere that is not a necessity-run like the supermarket. I am a petrolhead in my soul.’
Racing driver Jodie Kidd says she can’t wait to hit the road again when lockdown is lifted
Meanwhile the model turned landlady has re-opened her East Sussex pub, The Half Moon, which she was forced to close due to coronavirus.
‘The really tough thing with the pub is you can lift the lockdown but social distancing will still be there,’ she tells me. ‘We’re now doing takeaways.’
Prince’s secret passion for Italian fashion
Who knew that the Duke of Cambridge was an Italian clothes horse?
While the Duchess champions British fashion designers, her husband has taken to sporting shirts made by the luxury label, Luca Faloni.
During his visit to Pakistan last October HRH wore the brand’s £140 linen garment in light blue. Perhaps William is drawing on his father’s love of la dolce vita and all things Italian.
The Prince of Wales — a keen artist — founded the Royal Drawing School in 2000, which sends students to Tuscany every summer to study.
During his visit to Pakistan last October HRH Prince William wore a £140 linen Luca Faloni garment in light blue
Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriend, actress Cressida Bonas, has spoken of her sadness at having to postpone her wedding this year to handsome property developer Harry Wentworth Stanley.
‘I’d like to travel around New Zealand in a camper van and sleep under the stars in a big rug,’ she says when asked where she’d liked to be instead of in lockdown.
‘This was the original plan for my honeymoon, so I’m not sure if that’s going to happen now, but I will keep dreaming.’
A blooming marvellous smile from Ferry’s ex
When Bryan Ferry divorced glamorous party planner Amanda Sheppard, the Roxy Music star admitted it was because he didn’t want any more children.
Ferry, 74, has four sons from his previous marriage to the late Lucy Helmore, and Amanda is 37 years his junior.
Amanda Sheppard (left) is now pregnant and showed off her bump during a recent visit to Daylesford farm in the Cotswolds
‘She wanted a baby and I didn’t,’ he explained. ‘I thought I could and then later I thought, “It’s not the right thing to do”.
It was a terrible, stressful time for both of us.’ Happily, I can reveal Amanda is now pregnant. She showed off her bump during a recent visit to Daylesford farm in the Cotswolds.
Her husband is fund manager Duncan Westbrook, 41, a pal of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Nancy Dell’Olio lays down the law
Italian glamour puss Nancy Dell’Olio, who has been in quarantine in Italy for the past two months, is maintaining high sartorial standards.
‘If I have to do a video call for a conference call or cocktail time with my friends in the evening I make sure I appear looking very good with a new dress, top or sweater on,’ she tells me.
‘I make sure my hair and make-up is done as you can be casual but still be glamorous and sexy.’
The lawyer, 58, whose former flames include theatre director Sir Trevor Nunn and ex -England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson adds: ‘It’s essential to go through your wardrobe and still wear nice things.’
Loudmouth rocker Liam Gallagher has been showing off his sensitive side and connecting with nature in lockdown.
‘I’m the same as everyone else, bored out of my mind, but at least I’m not dead so all is good in the world,’ he says. ‘I’m also trying to get into the rhythm of the birds.
‘Obviously, it’s a different language and I don’t quite understand it, but they’re not just talking gibberish, that lot.’ Crazy as a loon…
Amelie’s Firth class delivery
Colin Firth’s daughter-in-law Amelie Edwards appears to be taking social distancing a little literally.
The actress, who married Firth’s son Will last year, shared a photo on Tuesday of herself hidden away in a cardboard box. ‘Day 42 of lockdown,’ she told friends. ‘I got in the box.’ Amelie married actor Will in Shropshire last summer.
The wedding was attended by Colin as well as his ex-girlfriend, the Hollywood star Meg Tilly, who is Will’s mother. Will, 29, who grew up in Tilly’s native Canada, appeared with his dad in Bridget Jones’s Baby.
Amelie Firth shared a photo on Tuesday of herself hidden away in a cardboard box. ‘Day 42 of lockdown,’ she told friends
Desperate for more outdoor space, Downton Abbey star Laura Carmichael and her boyfriend (and Downton co-star) Michael Fox have fled the Camden flat they share.
Michael, who plays footman Andy Parker in the show, says they’ve relocated to High Wycombe.
‘I’ve moved out to mum and dad’s house now,’ he says. ‘In London it was a bit more difficult — we were in our flat and only getting out for a little bit of fresh air now and again was difficult.’