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Sat 28 Apr 2001

Croquet Club Open Day and Presentation to Retiring President

The bad weather early in the month meant that the Croquet Club’s lawns could not be prepared in time for the official start of the season. Instead members held a quiz afternoon. However they managed to prepare the lawns in time for their Open Day on Saturday. Heavy rain early in the afternoon may have put off some visitors, but the weather soon cleared up and members of the Club entertained two-dozen visitors, who were introduced to the game of Golf Croquet. There were half a dozen junior visitors who were also taught a croquet game called Pirates. The Club will be holding Beginners Classes on Fridays and Tuesdays from 6.30 to 8.30pm starting on the 11th and 15th May and on Monday afternoons from 2.00 to 4.00pm starting on the 14th May. Each course lasts a minimum of six weeks and costs £24. Junior coaching is on Fridays from 4.00 to 6.00pm. Further information and application forms may be obtained from Peter Dyke on (01275) 545178.

Earlier in the month JOHN JEFFREY, who recently retired as President of the Club, was presented with a ship’s decanter for his services to the Club over the past 19 years. John has been Tournament Secretary, Chairman, and for a while Acting Secretary and Acting Treasurer as well as President of the Club. John is a Croquet Association Coach and Referee and in 1997 he managed the World Golf Croquet Championships. As Chairman of the Club, he was the driving force in the Club’s successful application for a lottery grant. This enabled the Club to build its much-needed pavilion, which has a kitchen, changing rooms, toilets, workroom and a large social room. John put his carpentry skills to good use and he designed, made and fitted many of the fixtures and fittings in the clubhouse. With the help of a few members of the Club, he fitted the floor and the kitchen. He also made some of the Club’s trophies and a few mallets. Later this year John is moving to Cheshire and his expertise will be surely missed.

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