Ashby Croquet Club is located three miles to the west of Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire, right in the heart of the National Forest. We play on three full-size lawns at the Moira Miners Welfare Sports & Social Club grounds at Bath Lane, Moira, DE12 6BP (opposite the Waterside entrance to Conkers). Our lawns were constructed from scratch to tournament specifications, and they provide us with some of the best croquet facilities in the East Midlands. Our third lawn was officially opened in 2010, and the following year we staged our first national Croquet Association tournaments at Moira.
The Club is open to everyone, and new members are always extremely welcome. Croquet is a game for all ages, male and female. We cater for all levels of interest from social play to participation in national competitions. The Club also organises social events during the winter months when playing opportunities are more restricted.
In addition to the croquet lawns, the Club enjoys the benefits of being part of the Moira Miners’ Welfare Sports & Social Club. Croquet members are automatically eligible to use the clubhouse, where drinks are available most evenings.
The croquet lawns are available for use by our members at any time during the playing season (late March to late October), and even during the winter months when the weather allows. Our main club sessions during the playing season are :
Tuesday 5 to 8pm (earlier in April/Sept/Oct). BBQ available, weather permitting. Please note the change of day for the later session – now Tuesday for the 2024 season.
Wednesday 10am to 1pm
Thursday 3 to 6pm
Sunday 2 to 5pm (On occasional Sundays during the season we have tournaments on our main lawns, in which case opportunities for casual play may be limited – please check our Calendar. Visitors are welcome to come in and watch if there is a tournament going on.)
We provide all equipment including the use of a club mallet for the first season of play, after which most people then prefer to purchase their own mallet.
In addition to social play, the Club runs a programme of leagues and competitions throughout the season for both Golf Croquet and Association Croquet players. As an active member of the Federation of East Midlands Croquet Clubs, Ashby frequently plays matches against other clubs in the East Midlands. There are also regional and national tournaments organised by the sport’s national body Croquet England, so there’s plenty to go at!
If all this appears a bit daunting, don’t be put off. Croquet has a very good handicapping system which enables beginners to enjoy games against experienced players on an even basis.
The Club runs Learn To Play Croquet sessions each year, and also croquet taster evenings for outside groups.
If you are interested in joining the Club, or would like any further details, please come along to one of our club sessions, or alternatively contact the Club Secretary, Arthur Rowe (tel. 01332 774296).