Author: sharondemaine

Our Chairman, Sharon de Maine discussed Croquet with Dan Jewell on Radio Lancashire’s Saturday afternoon’s sports programme. Trying to dispel the conception of a game with flamingos and hedgehogs and Agatha Christie, Sharon’s enthusiasm for the sport came across very well. Even though Sharon said she had so much more she could have said, Dan appeared impressed that there was so much more to Croquet than flamingos!

  B and C Level Advanced A/C

17^th and 18^th May.

Manager: Brian Medley.

Reporter: Liz Wilson.

Wonderful weather and interesting lawns welcomed 12 players to Pendle.  One of the original 12 entrants had to pull out with 24 hours’ notice due to injury but Bowdon’s Adrian Apps stepped up at short notice to avoid a Manager’s nightmare!  The tournament was run as a 5 round Swiss Amalfi by Brian Medley in his 2^nd year of Tournament Management.  With the sun beating down constantly for the whole weekend at times it felt like we were on the Amalfi Coast!  Handicaps ranged from scratch to 10 – the C Level competitors being in the range 6+.   Surprising giant killer results started to appear in the first round with Peter Wilson (3.5) beating Brian Medley (0.5), Steve Skelton (3.5) beating Charles Harding (0), Andrew Gould (10) beating Stephen Pratt (3.5) and Phil Snowden (7) beating Stephan Colling (0.5).  In the 2^nd round Phil continued his onslaught beating Steve Skelton whilst the other matches went with handicaps.  The final round was played in the evening sunshine where the only surprise was a very lucky win for Liz Wilson (4) vs Charles (0) who in the time turn needed to scoop off penult and rover and peg out in a 3-ball ending.  Two hoops negotiated but the roquet on reception ball was missed only for the strike ball to trickle to corner one where Charles had “safely” left his ball – fluke roquet of the year gave Liz the win!  Day 2 started with Adrian Apps and Peter on 3 wins each.  Phil Snowden had to take on his coach and mentor Liz and was beaten on the golden hoop (age and experience wins over youth) who for once didn’t want him to win! Scottish visitor Stephan continued to claw back 1 or 2 points per game after his 19-point loss in the first round and joined Liz and Peter Wilson on 3 wins with Adrian on 4.  The Amalfi system is supposed to throw up an exciting final round and so it proved to be.  5 of the 6 games were going to affect the results.  Liz had to play her husband Peter and Stephan played Adrian.  If Stephan won then there would be a 3-way tie of 3 players on 4 wins all of whom had not played each other.  Magnifying glasses were out to read the small print!  Adrian had the upper hand and eventually all he had to do was rush to the peg and finish.  Did you know in B Level hoops often get in the way!  The rush to peg put the croqueted ball in rover.  Adrian took croquet from the ball in the hoop which didn’t quite make the distance to the peg but did stop his strike ball from shooting at it!  A scatter shot sent the two balls in a wide split.  Stephan hit in – just 4 hoops to make and a rover peel – unfortunately 4 back rejected his ball. Game over for Liz and Stephan and the Tournament winner was the unbeaten stand-in, Adrian!  Much fun and B level hacker play made the whole atmosphere quite amusing.  Many swear words as hoops were blobbed and some new terminology (which hoop are you on? 5 back was the reply) Congratulations to Adrian Apps (B Level winner) and Phil Snowdon (C Level winner and a handicap reduction to 6) and to Alan Dix playing in his first tournament.  The picture shows the competitors including Stephan in black mourning garb due to his handicap going the wrong way! 

Thank you to the hospitable Pendle and Craven Croquet Club and to Brian for excellent management.

It is 40 years since Pendle and Craven Croquet Club was founded by John Beech in his garden, and the club has moved from strength to strength since then. Now playing on 5 lawns in Cemetery Road in Earby, Lancashire, the club is now becoming a firm member of the local community.

The Easter weekend involves the club in the first big tournament of the season. The John Beech Memorial Tournament which takes place from lunchtime Good Friday until late afternoon on Easter Monday, where players come from all over the country to play at Pendle and Craven croquet Club.

This year the tournament was full, and, with the help of a couple of days excellent weather it was a great success, the lawns were in great condition and were running fine plus the hospitality was excellent, players reported they had really enjoyed themselves. The atmosphere was very friendly and spectators were most welcome, and did, come and watch.

Many thanks to Roger Schofield who managed this years tournament, and the many club members who managed the lawns and the hospitality.

The Winners were: Peter Dowdall Cup: Angharrad Walters.

The John Beech Trophy: Fiona Crompton.

Fastest Game: John Crompton

Most Games: Lee Hartley

Fastest Game: John Crompton

Highest Handicapper: John Crompton

Lowest: Handicapper: Phillip Jay

The winners are pictured below being presented with their trophies by the tournament manager Roger Schofield and the Clubs’ Chairman Sharon de Maine.

The club is looking forward to many more exciting events this summer. many thanks to all our volunteers who made this weekend possible.

Pendle and Craven Croquet Club is working towards increasing their number of AC players, hoping more players will play both codes. Stephen is coaching GC to AC sessions starting this coming Thursday 27th February. These sessions are for AC beginners and will start with the basics.

Pendle and Craven Croquet Club, in Cemetery Road, Earby, have a new project this coming season where we are pleased to welcome children to the fun of playing croquet. The Robert Windle Trust has donated the finances to allow us to buy the equipment needed. We have sessions booked after Easter, for a group of home schooled children and are looking at starting an after school parent and children group. Croquet is a fantastic game, with lots of fun to be had for children as well as adults. All are welcome.

January Update

January was a busy month at the lawns despite the lovely snow. The Saturday Social on the 25th Jan saw 8 members attend. A warming cuppa at lunchtime followed with lots of chat of all things croquet.

Winter jobs are coming to a completion. The electric improvements and certification has been done. Garage organisation of gardening equipment completed and quotes received for the roof repairs.

The Lawns and Ground Team have commenced their programme of works. The lawns 2,3 and 4 were aerated using our new machine. The old cobra mower was utilised to pick up all the plugs. It was noticed how quickly this work improved drainage on the west boundary. More recently the lawns have been sprayed with iron.

Other jobs have seen members offer their help in fixing the banner, washing the flag and producing a method for protecting the white-lining shed and mallet shed by making a water catchment system between the buildings.

The Committee are driving forward plans for improving the drainage in front of the clubhouse and entrance to our car park but the weather needs to improve so heavy equipment can be used.

A big thank you to all who have contributed with all this work.

Pendle and Craven Croquet Clubs programme of Tournaments had been published on CE website.

Today 14+ members are down enjoying a variety of croquet. It is lovely to see so many new members coming to improve their skills.

Paul is taking Sharon around in a game of AC, Cathy is giving instruction on game play whilst others are enjoying social games.

We are a fun and friendly sports club mainly for older people aged around 60 years. Our objectives are to encourage people to play croquet either socially or competitively, stay socially connected, and enjoy some fresh air and gentle exercise. We need to upgrade our car parking area as the public car park historically used by club members is increasingly full and the area our disabled members use is going to be blocked off. It is imperative that we increase membership to keep the club going, and having a safe, secure, and easily accessible car park will help greatly. The local town council has agreed that the convenience will attract new members.

Our project will provide parking for many more people, including people with additional accessibility needs. Our project will allow older people to socialise while enjoying a fun game of croquet. The social group environment reduces social isolation and gentle exercise increases wellbeing. The opportunity to play competitively in local and national leagues is available if people want to get involved, but if not, the kettle is always on.

Pendle and Craven Croquet Club is part of the @Coopuk Local Community Fund, to find out more about our project and to choose us as your cause, click here

https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/89358

Sunday 13th October saw the final of the Pendle and Craven Croquet Club’s AC Barlow Ball competition.

The finalists were Robert Essler and Paul Rigge.

It was a close match and it ended on the golden hoop after Time. Paul managed to roll two balls from near hoop 1 to 3ft in front of 4 back to win!

Congratulations to both players for an entertaining match.

We have been so lucky with the weather for our Introduction to Croquet courses this year. Seen here is Cathy, our Club Coach with the last group of participants on the last day of their course.
What a glorious day. Seven new members joined the club today taking advantage of the end of year deals on subscriptions.
Many thanks to all the club members who have helped Cathy with all the courses she has put on this summer, too many to mention, you are all great club members. Well Done.

There are already nine names on the waiting list for next year, places are filling up fast.