Author: Richard

Mon 21st April, Moira Manager: Helen

Sixteen players took part in our Easter Monday Eggstra GC doubles tournament, with a change of partner after each game. After five 35-minute games (best of 11), Jeff Dixon was the overall winner, finishing unbeaten with 3 wins and 2 draws and a net points difference of +10. Arthur Rowe was a close runner-up, also finishing on +10. Well done to Jeff who was competing in his first club tournament.

Many thanks to debut manager Helen for stepping in to organise the tournament so efficiently despite the rather miserable bank holiday weather.

Club members have been busy getting the lawns ready for the start of the new season on Sunday 30th March – thanks to everyone who has helped.

The times of club sessions this year are:

Sunday 2pm to 5pm
Tuesday 3pm to 6pm
Wednesday 10am to 1pm
Thursday 3pm to 6pm

The first club competition of the season will be the Easter Eggstra GC on Easter Monday 21st April which will be open to all club members; details to follow nearer the time.

Sun 16th March

We had a great turnout of 37 people, in nine teams, for our Annual Quiz at the Welfare, with some fiendish questions provided by quizmaster Colin C.

The final result was really close, with just 2.5 points separating the top four teams, and all 9 teams were within just 12 points of each other! The winners were 3×18+1 with 73.5 (out of a possible 120).

Many thanks to Colin and Jenny and all who took part, and for the donations of raffle prizes.

Mon 3rd March

Club member Bill Jervis sadly passed away in February. Ten members of Ashby CC attended Bill’s funeral at Bretby Crematorium, and were able to speak with his family after the service. It was a good celebration of Bill’s life, accompanied by readings from the family and upbeat music from The Kinks, Bruce Springsteen and The Drifters which he apparently used to play on car journeys for family holidays. (Report by Arthur)

Sun 2nd March

After a working party in the morning to move stuff from the winter bowls lawns to the main lawns in readiness for the new season (which starts on March 30th), 11 of us enjoyed a winter walk bathed in glorious spring sunshine. A six-mile circular route from the croquet club took us past Conkers to Swainspark Wood, Linton Heath and Overseal, before a very pleasant tea and cake stop beside the lake at Lakeside Bistro and then ending with a pint back at the Miners Welfare.

The winter leagues have been as well supported as ever, with 33 people playing in at least one of the Sunday sessions, and 32 in the Wednesday sessions.

Overall, 41 members have played in at least one of the club GC winter sessions, which is more than 60% of the playing membership. The participant rate is even higher if you include the ad-hoc AC winter sessions.

The top five players in each league were:

Sunday league:
Ormond 238
Pete B 223
Mike 208
Helen 199
Colin C 197

Wednesday league:
Richard S 214
Ormond 192
Mike 190
Pete B 181
Colin C 179

Here are the leaderboards up to the end of January, with four weeks of the winter season remaining.

Sunday League
Pete B 172
Ormond 167
Helen 155
Penny 151
Mike 149

Wednesday League
Mike 150
Richard S 137
Ormond 132
Colin C 130
Penny 125

Thurs 2nd January, Moira Manager/reporter: Arthur

This year’s New Year’s Day tournament was postponed by a day to take advantage of a huge improvement in the weather. Thanks to everyone for participating in the lovely winter sunshine, and for the food that you all brought.

Well done to the clear winners Ray Mounfield & Helen Bensley with 5 wins and +14 hoop points.

Andy Sherwood & Colin Carr were 2nd with 4 wins and +7 hoop points.

There were 3 pairs on 3 wins; Lesley & Penny edged 3rd place over Arthur and Kate P by 1 hoop point (+4 and +3).

There were 3 pairs in contention for the wooden spoon with 1 win and -6, -6 -7 hoop points – not low given that 30 hoop points were available.

Wed 4th December

Julie organised another excellent Christmas Dinner at the Lakeside Bistro. Our Christmas Charity Collection at the meal in lieu of exchanging Christmas cards has raised £230 (plus Gift Aid) so far for the Alzheimer’s Society – many thanks for all the generous donations which will be pooled with the entry donations from our Charity One-Ball tournament in late April/early May 2025 and sent to the Alzheimer’s Society as one payment.

Sunday 10th November

Trophies were presented to this year’s competition winners at our AGM. The Player of the Year, chosen by the committee, was awarded to John Picken for excellent progress in his GC career this year.

Here is a full list of winners: