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Chester Cake Celebration for National Croquet Day

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Happy Birthday Chester

National Croquet Day on Sunday June 4th was also the 40th anniversary of the Chester Croquet Club, which was inaugurated in June 1977 at the Hermitage bowling green next to the River Dee.  Former chairman David Guyton talked about the club’s development from its small beginnings into the thriving, successful club it is today hosting national and international competitions.

The celebration at the club included a croquet gymkhana, won by Alan Clare, in which the Lord Mayor of Chester and the Lord Mayor’s consort also took part. Helen and Steven Brophy won the quiz, and Geoff Reynolds won the raffle, the proceeds of which went to the Friends of Westminster Park.

A special cake had been made by Brenda Pounder and a toast was drunk as Rupert Thorp, the club president, cut the cake.  Over 50 members attended the event, which was bathed in glorious June sunshine, enjoying a cream tea and fun croquet.

Party Time in Chester and You Are Invited

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CHESTER CROQUET CLUB CELEBRATES 40 YEARS

Chester Croquet Club was formed in 1977 and, like everyone who reaches a significant birthday, we’re having a party. We have decided to hold it on National Croquet Day, Sunday, 4 June, from 2 to 5 pm with cake cutting and afternoon tea being served at 4 pm. There will be opportunities to have an informal game of croquet during the afternoon as well as a croquet gymkhana competition with a prize for the winner. Whilst we recognise that other clubs may be holding their own events on that day, any NW croquet player who would like to join us would be most welcome to bring their mallet and join in the fun. If you expect to come please

e-mail our membership secretary, Sally Slater, at springboard_sally@hotmail.com also have a look at our new website at www.chestercroquet.club .

Chester Player Snatches NW Croquet Trophy

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Sally Slater (Chester) receives the NW Federation Millennium Short Trophy from Club Secretary John Dawson. (Photo: Pat Clare)

Ladies Day at Chester

Not at the Racecourse but at Chester Croquet Club where ten players (from Fylde, Bury, Bowdon, Southport, Craig-y-don and Chester), gathered on a beautiful May morning –  5 gentlemen and 5 ladies, (handicaps 3-9), all set for the NW Millennium AC short lawn competition. The first two rounds were closely contested but by lunch the ladies were on top with Barbara Young (Bury), Gail Moors (Southport) and Sally Slater (Chester) all having won two matches.

After lunch, in the first semi final, Gail held her nerve in her concluding break to beat Barbara whilst Sally needed a Rover Peel (her first ever) to beat Jack Pattenden in the other semi final. The final was a bit scrappy with both players affected by tiredness or nerves.  Gail used most of her bisques making a 5 hoop break with only 3 balls on the lawn; Sally responded by taking her first ball round using only 3 bisques and after some further skirmishing Sally took her second ball round to make a nervy but effective peg out to win the title (her first major title). Barbara secured the third place to make it a clean sweep for the ladies.

Overall an excellent day with some very good play on the slick lawns. The benefits of the full bisque format (i.e. no base as in previous years) were evident in that two thirds of the games finished in peg outs.

Thanks go to David Boyd for managing the event and to Pat Clare and her catering team for providing an excellent lunch and tea.

 

Players in the 2017 Federation Millennium Short Tournament at Chester (photo: Pat Clare)

 

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