Keeper Russell quite a catch for local cricketers and artists

JACK RUSSELL is coming to Guernsey at the end of the month as part of his testimonial year calendar. The former England wicketkeeper, who is being rewarded for 20 years' service at Gloucestershire, will be displaying his artwork and taking coaching sessions as well as attending a dinner.

The weekend's events start on Thursday 26 February when Russell with be painting some local scenes. The following day he will be at St James, where his artwork will be on display from Thursday to Saturday, before the dinner at St Pierre Park that evening. On the Saturday, Russell will be holding two one-hour wicketkeeping coaching sessions at the Elizabeth College Sports Hall.

'2004 is Jack's last season in county cricket and his visit should be extremely popular, not just because of his cricket status but also because of his status as an artist,' said Dave Piesing, of the Friends of Guernsey Cricket Charitable Trust.

The weekend, which is being sponsored by the Praxis Group/ PKF (Guernsey), is a joint fund-raising event for Russell's testimonial year and for the FGCCT.

The jacket-and-tie dinner on Friday 27 February costs £35 per head and John Burley will be interviewing the star guest. Tickets can be obtained from Piesing on (work) 737601 or (home) 268105.