Saturday 22nd March saw the completion of the new hardcore entrance to club car park. The digger also removed the accumulation of rubbish by the boundary fence ready for removal. This will also increase the number of cars that can park.
Lawns 1 and 5 were relocated to their new positions. A big thank you to all the members who turned out to help with advice, tape measures, laying string, white lining, filling in old holes and Paul for replacing the tournament hoops to the new lawns.
After a lunch break the new lawns were tested out. It was great to have tight hoops to practice.
A bright sunny but cool day saw 10 members attend and enjoy some great croquet. Everyone was busy:- AC practice for those that are attending Crake Valley CC Alternate Stroke competition and GC practice for the up and coming league matches. A new member undertook the 3 round test and has been presented with a green GC card. Congratulations Simon.
The cleaning area for machinery has been beautified with the planting of a beech hedge. It is hoped that this will improve absorption of water and along with the installation of new drainage system the waterlogged area will be no more.
A big thank you to Neil who has completed the renovations to the mallet shed. He has replaced rotten wood, painted the new areas with timber hardening paint.
Alongside this he has made and installed a new area for mallets. This will be utilised to store the children’s equipment.
With beautiful sunshine and little breeze saw 13 members and 1 spouse attend. Four courts were pressed into use. Two for both codes of croquet. The warmth of the day saw many removing their jackets, put on a sun hat and sunglasses.
Afternoon cup of tea were taken outside in the sunshine were good chatter and laughter could be heard.
Neil completed 2 outstanding winter jobs in the mallet storage shed. He painted wood hardening paint to the areas where he had repaired and made and installed a new mallet stand. This will allow the storage of the new children’s equipment. A fantastic job which will help keep the area tidy.l
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 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 only saw 6 members and 1 guest turn up today. The lawns were immaculate after the grounds teams efforts yesterday. Great job Paul and Mike. The lawns were still running true and quick despite some rain early this morning.
Andrew received six hoop top protectors (1 blue, 1 red and 4 clear) from Brookwood Croquet Club as a test run. They’re looking good and more will be ordered for the remaining lawns. They will be used on all our tournament hoops once they return from sandblasting and spray painted.
The photos show how easy they are to slip onto the hoop tops and placing on clips.
Sliding on the new hoop protector The new hoop protector fully on
Today was AC Social Day both Full lawn and Short Lawns in play with 8 members in attendance. Lawns running well for the time of year and the Golf players were still able to play, so come on down for whichever format you want to play.
Good lunch enjoyed in the sunshine.
Short doubles with beginners and more experienced pairing up and Golf Croquet going on in the backgroundLunch in the sunshineThe long shadows on a late autumn day, playing Golf Croquet
