IT doesn't get much better than this, chatting to Bob Stark on the veranda of the Oakham Cricket Club pavilion.

A golden sun highlights a velvety green playing area lovingly prepared by groundsman Malcolm Rawlings and, in the near distance, a group of enthusiastic veterans stoop over a game of croquet.

This is England at its finest. All that's needed is a snatch of Elgar, cream teas and a freshly ironed morning newspaper to rekindle the era when our empire truly ruled the world.

It seems hardly sporting to mention The Fire but I do. "January 1, 2002," says the genial Bob, aged 78, upright and impeccably mannered and almost as tall as in those glory years when he bowled fearsome off-cutters in the Yorkshire League.

"There were three arson attacks in a month and the pavilion blaze was the worst," he said.

"A previous blaze had destroyed equipment and another wrecked the scorebox but the worse one was the one that gutted the pavilion. It cost us £200,000.

"The police said it was part of a spate of arson attacks throughout Rutland. We never found out who started it, but it threatened our existence."

Bob, who is club treasurer and general factotum combined, remembers two smartly-dressed gentlemen turning up some time later, offering to buy the ground.

"They represented a major supermarket chain and we discussed their very generous offer at a packed meeting at Oakham School," he said.

"It was touch and go but, to a man, everyone said they were determined to keep the old club going and thankfully it proved the right option."

Indeed it was. A rejuvenated Oakham CC not only resumed its role as a vital part of the Rutland community but became increasingly involved in sharing its facilities with all who needed them.

A multi-faceted Phoenix from the ashes, the handsome new pavilion was opened by former England batsman and Oakham School coach David Steele in June 2004 and now hosts ladies' pilates on Tuesdays, regular Workers Educational Association courses, business functions and social activities in addition to the inevitable cricket teams.

Bob would rather talk joyously about the club's growing Renaissance than himself.

Being a modest chap, he wouldn't admit it but he's been a constant throughout, a sort of enduring super-catalyst and loyal clubman who is becoming such a rare species in these increasingly mercenary times.

Oakham CC was founded in 1870 and Bob's association goes back to 1984 when he swapped the bustle of central London, and a somewhat shadowy career seconded to the Cabinet Office, for peaceful Rutland.

"My wife Caroline and I bless each day since," he said. The parents of two grown-up sons, they live within a Flintoff bludgeon of Oakham's Lime Kilns ground. One half expects to find its entrance to be dubbed the Bob Stark Gate in appreciation.

This is a man who lives and breathes the intrinsic Englishness of cricket and his beloved Oakham CC. Born in Leicester, he was educated in Loughborough and conscripted into the RAF, where he served three years and played a lot of cricket, often with future England captain Peter May.

He worked on radar installations and gained 'only a modest rank.' But whatever happened next must have been dramatic because he was attached to Cobra (the top secret Cabinet Office Briefing Room A) and worked in the Cabinet Office during Mrs Thatcher's premiership.

"Britain was going through a problem period," he said guardedly. "There was social unrest, industrial conflict, the poll tax riots and other situations and we were required to develop scenarios to cope with it. I developed a healthy respect for Mrs Thatcher and for our political system in general. "

But back to cricket. Bob's happiest playing days were spent as an opening bowler and middle order batsman for Sheffield Collegiate. He was welcomed by legendary Derbyshire and England paceman Cliff Gladwyn and proposed for Collegiate membership by former Tykes' skipper Norman Yardley. He met Fred Trueman socially and played at Headingley, Yorkshire's Valhalla, where he notched his highest score, 47, in the Yorkshire League.

He retired in 1981 but still umpires. "One opening batsman used to hand us a little package when he came out to bat. At first we thought it was a small gift, then we realised it was his false teeth. He didn't want them smashed by the opening bowler."

As for the future, he has fully recovered from the heart attack which felled him 15 years ago and enjoys playing golf off an 18 handicap and teaching economics, business studies and accountancy at Rutland Adult Learning evening classes. But the club's the thing.

"I love local cricket because the standard of sportsmanship is outstanding and you meet such lovely people. And I enjoy being part of Oakham CC because it is going places.

"Our previous captain Chris Larsen led fundraising for our children's room, which cost £3,000, and we're very keen to get youngsters to grow up with the club and play for our teams."

Oakham fields two Saturday XIs and two Sunday XIs and is in its last year in the South Lincs and Borders League. Next year they're in the Everards League and hoping for greater things. "There's a lot of goodwill in the area," said Bob.

"We're thankful for the support we get from local businesses and we like people to wander into the ground for a sit down after doing their shopping, have their tea and maybe watch a game. We're a welcoming place and our facilities are not just for cricket. Try us out!"