Louisa Skipper's Diary

Bat and ball fun at the revival

The Goodwood Revival ball has become a social highlight of the motor racing season, and this year it more than lived up to its star-studded reputation.

A Spanish ‘Seville’ theme allowed over 1000 guests from the motor sport world to explore their inner matadors and flamenco dancers – and I was lucky enough to be among them, as a guest of Maserati.

The entertainment included the incredible sight of Spanish dancing horses and indoor fireworks, while Dire Straits guitarist Mark Knopfler made a special guest appearance. He played his lilting theme to the film Local Hero and dedicated it to emotional birthday boy and guest of honour Sir Stirling Moss. Other guests included Derek Bell, Rowan Atkinson, Chris Rea, Buzz Aldrin and Adrian Newey.

Another Goodwood tradition is the cricket match that takes place on the eve of the Revival. This year’s players included Jackie Oliver, Alain de Cadanet, Tony Jardine, Emanuele Pirro and Tiff Needell. Not quite the Ashes, but as with everything at Goodwood, a lot of fun!