Another successful Federation Festival of Croquet at Southport on 24/25 June 2017. With weather from drizzle to glorious sunshine, players clad in a spectrum of team colours, Riggy and Hawkins dressed by Matalan, the play ranged from spectacular to crazy. What a great weekend celebrating not just Croquet in the north west but sheer enjoyment in the company of about 150 croquet players of all abilities, from beginners to experts, from clubs around our region.

If a team was short of a player – no problem – a quick free transfer from another club saved the day with only minimum confusion.

The south lawns were pristine and the north lawns continue to improve – a great tribute to Don Williamson and Terry Dunbar who manage these lawns.  The Southport club were not only great hosts but early risers, setting out 13 lawns each day plus all the accompanying bits and pieces like gazebos, tables, chairs, etc.  As always the catering team rose to the occasion par excellence!  

Ivan Wheatley thanked the club for making this Festival a wonderful occasion.  He also paid tribute to tournament manager James Hawkins whose efficient management ensured everyone were in their right places at the right time, (well almost everyone!).

Results:

Individual successes resulted in some handicap changes:
Betty Bates (Fylde) from 14 to 12; Mike Steer (Bowdon) from 4 to 3.5; Chris Alvey (Bury) from 18 to 16; Ivan Wheatley (Westmorland) from 7 to 6; Sue Pritchard (Westmorland) from 18 to 16.

Advanced Croquet event – Fylde won again for the third year in succession.
Short Croquet event – Bowdon won for the second year running.
Handicap Croquet event – Westmorland.
Golf Croquet event – Bury.

When all the points were aggregated, Bury Croquet Club emerged as 2017 Festival champions for the sixth time since the event was established in 1994.

Congratulations to all our worthy winners.

Same time (?), same place, next year – see you there?