Why not join like minded souls for a long weekend for Croquet in Lucca in Tuscany ?.

6 – 8 people wanted who can play positive croquet (as in the on the North lawns at Southport, but against skilled opponents).

Travelling from Manchester airport on 22nd June, returning to Manchester on 26th, to Pisa, and then onward for short bus journey to Lucca and Lucca Croquet Club.  The timing fits in nicely with the Southport weekend . . . . . .

Staying either in a traditional B&B in the historic centre of Lucca, or a farmhouse in Vinci (where Leonardo da came from).

Playing (golf) croquet, cooking and eating an Italian feast (it’s wonderful, I’ve done it, long table outside, setting sun, wine, just like the adverts).

Wandering the wonderful pedestrianised centre of this old old town.

Good restaurants, ice creams to die for, beer, pizzas, proper Italian breakfasts with proper Italian coffee, who could ask for more.

The costs are a mixture of:

• Flights with Jet2, flight only is £130 return with of course addons for everything else like bags for £33 return, but couples can share, and you may get away with just hand luggage for no charge.
• Accomodation is maybe £75 per room per night, depending on where we stay.
• Meals difficult to cost, but say £50 per day max, we can eat well at reasonable prices outside the touristy areas.
• Drinks are on you!

If anyone is interested let me know.  It will be a very different and a very memorable few days!

Richard Harvey
Bury Croquet Club
richardrvey@me.com

Heaton Park 31st March/1st April, 12th Lancashire International  Open Golf Championship by Paul Rigge

Another great very early season curtain raiser as 18 contenders met yet again in the sort of weather we’re getting used to at this event – mild spring sunshine. He’s back to his best – Who?  Our 2010 winner, Ian Lines, who couldn’t defend the title last year due to injury, but no such problems this year as he marched through the strongest entry field ever to regain the title in yet another thrilling 3 game final, coming back from being a game down against Paddy Chapman. Ian, Paddy, Rutger, James and Debbie were all using this event to shake of the winter blues prior to entering the Worlds down in Australia in three weeks – good luck to all.

Hosted by Bury CC, managed by Bury member Geoff Young.  Bury Club Chairman Barbara Young presented the Trophys. The consolation doubles was taken by Ros Pimlott and Debbie Cornelius (Debbie’s first trophy since 1995!).

Heaton Park 2/3rd July, Mid Summer Advanced Tournament (by Paul Rigge 02/07/11)

Hosted by Bury CC and managed by Bury member Geoff Young.  Only Ten players finally turned up after the build up over the last two weeks of ‘hokey-cokey’. Players were in, players were out, some applied, other withdrew. Again Manchester was blessed with soaring temperatures and blue skys over both days, because of the numbers attending only three lawns were needed but the three we used were all running fast!

The Cup was played as a flexible swiss with Alan Mayne still being the ‘in form’ player not only winning the silverware but also hitting his next trigger point – now a minus one.   The B Class Trophy was won by another Bowdon Member, Mike Steer.