Stars out for opening

A FOOTBALL match between a Bingham All-stars team and Nottingham Forest legends is among the highlights of a weekend of events to mark the opening of Butt Field pavilion, Bingham.

The official opening of the long-awaited £750,000 facility takes place at 1pm tomorrow when the ribbon will be cut by Nigel Clough, the manager of Derby County, and Rushcliffe’s MP Mr Ken Clarke.

Nigel Clough, the son of former Forest manager Brian Clough, will be at the pavilion to talk with guests.

Throughout the weekend there will be a host of sporting attractions and events.

Tomorrow, there will be football sessions open to everyone, regardless of age and gender, a bouncy castle, children’s entertainment and a barbecue.

Visitors can watch Bingham Cricket Club’s 2nd XI take on Collingham in a match starting at 1.30pm.

During the evening, the pavilion’s clubroom, complete with licensed bar, will be open for a performance by the band, Soundproof, and entertainment from 8pm.

Tickets for the evening event, which is open to anyone, cost £5 from Mr Dean Harrison on 0781 8045989.

On Sunday the celebrations continue with a Kwik Cricket tournament beginning at 10am, followed in the afternoon by the all-stars football match at 2pm.

A team from Bingham will take on former Nottingham Forest stars including Des Walker, Steve Hodge, Jason Lee, Nigel Jemson and Steve Chettle.

The players will sign autographs.

Also on Sunday, Bingham Cricket Club will be taking on a touring team from Cholsey and a Bingham Town Ladies football match will showcase the new football pitches on Butt Field.

The chairman of the Butt Field Sports Club, Mr Pete Kennedy, said: “We have been waiting for the new clubhouse for a long time, and now it is here all our members are keen to let the public see the impact it will have on players and the wider community alike for many years to come.”

He wanted as many people as possible to attend the weekend events.

As well as the activities, the new pavilion, with its eight changing rooms, toilets and showers, will be on open for people to look around.