Category: News

For anyone interested in taking up croquet as a new activity, you may be interested in this recent BBC News article and video which features a Sussex croquet club:

Covid: Croquet clubs ‘inundated’ during lockdown – BBC News

Mon 5th April, Moira Manager: Rupert

Rupert organised an Easter Monday GC tournament, with 12 players taking part including new members Jane B and Jane R in their first club competition. The extreme Arctic-type conditions and persistent sleet showers which were predicted failed to materialise, and it was a fine dry day in the end. just not quite as warm as the previous week.

Everyone competed individually, but playing doubles games, with the pairings changing after each game. The results were determined by the overall hoop difference, with Ray the winner, followed by Mick in second place and Heather third.

Thanks to Rupert for organising, and it was great to see Jane T back (although as a spectator on this occasion) and recovering well after her battle with Covid.

Our season started on Monday 29th March, the first day sports facilities were permitted to open after the lockdown. Rupert sent in this picture of Lesley hitting the first ball of the season.

The lawns are open again from Monday 29th March for pre-booked games using the Lawn Booking system. Please let Arthur know if you need a reminder of how to log on, or if you need your password resetting.

In line with the current CA guidance (PDF download), the maximum number of people per lawn is 6. This includes any players sitting out. When booking a lawn, make sure you include the names of all players including spectators/out-players, and ensure that the total number of people on a lawn does not exceed 6.

We don’t currently have the lawn capacity for open club sessions, but we hope to start these again in June if restrictions are sufficiently eased.

A few reminders:

1) Do not try to double bank with a different format of game – the booking system will discourage or prevent you from doing so anyway.

2) If you fancy a game but don’t have an opponent then book a lawn with your name with a note saying looking for opponent.

3) If you see a lawn booked for maintenance, please don’t try to double bank a game on it.

4) Members should wear their own gloves if possible to handle club equipment. Also bring your own chair if possible.

5) The open shelter cannot be used by more than two people.

6) The adjacent closed shelter should not be occupied.

7) Given the limited usable shelter, fine weather or hardy players will be needed!

Enjoy your croquet!

Club volunteers have been busy trimming the hedges, cleaning the sheds, and laying paved paths in time for the start of the season. Pictured are Colin and Rupert putting the finishing touches to a new paved sitting-out area.

Many thanks to all who have helped.

Please observe the ‘no parking’ signs placed either side of the driveway leading up to the sports field (by the side of Lawn 1). This is to allow access to the driveway for emergency vehicles and overspill parking etc.

Tues 9th Feb Report by Mick

In February, I ran the Ashby Croquet club quiz. As there were only two or three entries a couple of days before the quiz, I invited four of my friends from London and Leeds to make up a team. They are pretty good quizzers and I fully expected them to win. However, on the night the team of Richard, Paul and Jane finished one point ahead of them. Teams captained by Ray and Rupert were not too far behind. Everyone seemed to enjoy the night and thanks to Heather for organising the Zoom meeting.

Traditionally, we arrange a charity collection at our Christmas Dinner in lieu of exchanging Christmas cards. However, the meal at the Lakeside will unfortunately not be happening in December but we are hoping to meet there in the summer instead. After a brief discussion at the online AGM, our new chairperson Lesley suggested St Giles Hospice as our Christmas charity, in memory of Rupert’s late wife Mal who was a volunteer at their Ashby shop. This was a popular choice with those at the AGM.

As we are not easily able to collect donations as a club, they can instead be made directly to St Giles in one of these ways:

1. Online at https://www.stgileshospice.com/how-you-can-help-us/donate/

2. Giving cash or a cheque to one of the local shops (Ashby, Swadlincote, Burton)

3. Sending a cheque to: St Giles Hospice, Fisherwick Road, Whittington, Lichfield. WS14 9LH

Please mark the envelope ‘Fundraising’.

If anyone is eligible and wishes to Gift Aid their donation (thus giving the charity 25% more at no extra cost) you will need to include your name and address and declare that you are a taxpayer.

Thank you to anyone who decides to donate.

Rachel was presented (virtually, via Zoom) with our Player of the Year trophy at our recent online AGM after an overwhelming vote for her by the Committee.

Rachel clinched victory in the National Forest GC Championship at Moira after an epic best-of-5 final against Ian Burridge in which she was two games down, and later 1-6 down in the fourth game. However, she proceeded through to victory, eventually winning the fourth and fifth games 7-6. Rachel went on to have a stellar season by also winning the Nottingham GC Championship and the Ascot Cup (the National GC Singles Championship). Both those other Championships had strong fields despite the difficult times.

There will be no play allowed under current UK Government restrictions during the national lockdown which started today. We are following the CA guidance from 4th November.