ENGLAND and Somerset cricketer Jack Leach will be the special guest of honour at this year’s Harry Burden Memorial Luncheon which is taking place in the Colin Atkinson Pavilion at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton on Thursday, November 20.

The Harry Burden Memorial Luncheon has been held annually since 1996 and was set up in memory of the seven year old young cricketer who tragically passed away from leukaemia the previous year.

The Harry Burden Memorial Luncheon is the main fundraising event of the Tony Coles Charitable Trust which gives grants to cricket clubs and schools for the development of youth cricket.

To date left arm spinner Jack Leach has taken 142 Test Match wickets for England, while for Somerset he has claimed 371 wickets at an average of 24.24, with a career best of 8 for 85. In the 2025 season the 34 year old was the Cidermen’s leading wicket taker in the county championship, claiming 52 wickets at an average of 22.78 with a best of 7 for 69.

Local hero Jack will be presenting the Harry Burden Young Cricketer of the Year and Harry Burden Bursary Awards as well as taking part in a Q&A session during the course of the event.

Tickets for what is always a very enjoyable cricketing occasion are priced at £35 each, which includes a three-course meal, the presentations of the Harry Burden Young Cricketer of the Year and Harry Burden Bursary Awards and an auction.

Tickets and grant information are available from Nigel Manley, email address [email protected] or tel no 07773389471.

Previous winners of these awards have included George Bartlett, Will Smeed, Lauren Filer, George Thomas, James Rew, JT Langridge, and Thomas Rew who was a recipient in 2024.