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Southport Croquet Raises £600 for BHF

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Ann Major from the British Heart Foundation receives a £600 donation from club President, Brian Lewis, flanked by Peter Williams (Treasurer) and Tony Thomas (Organiser)

Wow! What an afternoon! Nearly 70 members turned up for the Southport Charity One Ball event to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, who are celebrating their 60th anniversary.  The larger than expected attendance tested the organisation plan to the limit, but with players wearing articles of red clothing to match the Heart Foundation house colour and to the background sound of the Rave Music Festival in the Park next door, a great atmosphere was enjoyed by everyone.  Beginners and experienced players had a great deal of fun on our beautiful lawns as twenty minute, One Ball and Golf Croquet games kept everyone on their toes. 

We even had some extraordinary prizes for ‘hoop of the day’, ‘shot of the day’, ‘blob of the day’, etc, and eventually the mathematical skills (don’t ask!) of the scorekeepers produced an overall winner for the afternoon.  Step forward Sue Wilkie whose accurate shot in a final ‘Shoot Out’ gained her the prestigious trophy, presented to her by Club President Brian Lewis. Afternoon Tea was fantastic as the table sagged under the feast of food donated by members, trade was brisk on the Refreshment Table, the Tombola Table had an array of ‘quality’ gifts and when added to the Donation Bucket, we raised £600 for the British Heart Foundation. A great achievement by everyone.

New member Sue Wilkie receives the One Ball Trophy from Club President Brian Lewis

Robin Tasker – New North West Rep on CA Council

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Robin Tasker, an experienced AC player from Chester CC and known to many in the Federation has been elected to represent the North West Federation on the CA Council for a term of three years from 16th October 2021.

Robin follows in the footsteps of John Dawson, also from Chester, who has stepped down from this position after representing the North West with great distinction. On behalf of all members in the north west we thank John for his time and excellent contributions.

Here is more information:

North West Council Constituencey
Candidate Elected for October 2021 – 2024
Robin Tasker

I started playing croquet at Chester Croquet Club six years ago having played briefly in my twenties before the usual (and enjoyable) demands of life took over. And it was a good decision to do so as croquet provides a healthy outdoor activity combined with technical and mental challenges; and also a welcoming, well-organised and supportive community both in Chester and across the North West.

My working life was all about computer networks from being Head of Networking for a large UK Research Council to leading the UK’s efforts in the international standardisation of all matters related to data communications. As such policy and strategy were central to my work together with the need for clear communication, negotiation and diplomacy to get things done. Such skills are very much transferable, and it is these that I would wish to bring to this role.

At my first Southport Festival of Croquet I was inspired (and somewhat overawed!) by seeing the sheer numbers of people playing and enjoying the game, and again the sense of community was clear to see. For croquet to thrive and grow, tapping into this sense of belonging is vital. There is undoubted scope to reach a wider and more diverse audience but this must be approached realistically and in a sustainable manner. But nonetheless I believe this to be vital for croquet to confirm its relevance and to secure its future.

Personally I enjoy the competitive side of the sport and therefore see the improvement and development of both technical and tactical skills as key for a thriving sport at all levels within the game. Of course it is perfectly fine to simply enjoy the game, but actually it’s also great fun to see just how far you can be challenged. And often I am!

Proposer: Liz Wilson Seconder: John Dawson

Anne Alvey Holds onto Millenium Trophy

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Federation Millennium AC Handicap 10/11th July at Pendle – The women dominate….(spoiler alert)

Ann Alvey being presented with the 2021 Millenium AC Hcp Trophy

Clubs again sent their representatives to contest this event, well at least the members who were prepared to allow their names to be submitted in these risk-adverse times.

Pendle lawns looked resplendent in the sunshine for the start of play, but player’s optimism and the clouds, quickly clouded over as a very heavy cloud-burst passed through. After three rounds (manager tried to push for a 4th ) on the first day, only last year’s victor was unbeaten..each of which was a timed win, the 2nd & 3rd being by the margin of +2t & +1t – what a grinder, what a performance!

Day two opened with the sun back again and during the fourth round, the manager took the opportunity to ‘correct’ an omission from last year – taking a picture of the winner hoisting the proper ‘Pidcock Mallet’ trophy (due to ’20 isolation we didn’t have it available). The interruption didn’t break her campaign challenge however – another win taking her clear of the field.

Anne Alvey 2020 and 2021 Winner of Fed Mill AC Hcp

Round five – the match against her closest challenger (in effect the final), turned into a great match..both players expended their bisques sensibly but both ran out a long way from home. What followed could have degenerated into a classic ‘C’ class game of ‘Hide the Aunt Emma’, but it proved to be a real quality tactical tussle with the title going to (for the first time) the defending champion..queue another picture for this year’s gallery…

For the other place that gets recorded for posterity, the  runners-up spot, places changed throughout the weekend, and it came down to the vagaries of the Egyptian system to return a clear 2nd spot occupier at the death, the other woman in the field – Pendle’s own…Libby Dixon.”

Libby Dixon with the 2021 Millenium Hcp AC Runners Up award

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Webmaster – Chris Alvey (webmaster@croquetnw.co.uk)