FORMER Wellington Schoolboy Lord Archer opened the new retirement apartments at the County Ground in Taunton on Monday.

The charismatic peer and author demanded Somerset County Cricket Club win the County Championship as he cut the ribbon at the new £multimillion Pegasus Court development.

Lord Archer grew up in Weston and has supported the club since his boyhood.

Pegasus Court is for over-55s and consists of 65 homes, including 44 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom and two penthouse apartments.

Welcoming Lord and Lady Archer, Pegasus Retirement Homes chief executive Peter Askew said: “The provision of such a unique, eye-catching development is the result of the combined creative thinking of the Somerset CCC and the team here at Pegasus.

“The opportunity to build in such a unique position gave us the impetus to develop a landmark building for the county town of Taunton here in the heart of South-West England.”

At the opening, Lord Archer said: “I love this county and I’m here because I love this game. Many of you here like me would like to see Somerset win the County Championship – just once before I die – do I have to live to 100 to see it happen?

“Mary and I have been very impressed indeed with this development.”

Club chief executive Richard Gould said: “This is the lynchpin for all the development over the last three to four years. We’re eternally grateful to Pegasus.”

Taunton Deane Mayor Bob Bowrah, also a guest of honour, said: “This is a truly impressive development. Cricket lovers and even those who don’t know about the game, will enjoy this fabulous view all year round.”

The choice of Lord Archer to cut the ribbon at the development provoked criticism from readers of somersetcountygazette.co.uk The former Conservative Party deputy chairman was jailed for four years after being found guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice in 2001.

Reader Gazchaz said: “You have got to be joking, this man is a convicted offender … he is not a celebrity at all. This is a big embarrassment for SCCC.”

Asked how he would persuade readers he was the right man for the job, Lord Archer told the County Gazette: “I was never a very good cricketer I’m afraid, but we can’t all be good cricketers.”

For more information on the development, call 01823-252833 or click on the Related Link on this page.

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