• HOME
  • CLUBS
  • NWFCC LEAGUES
  • YOUR FED
    • Everything about NWFCC
    • Mileages Between League Clubs
    • NWFCC HONOURS BOARD
    • Handicapping in the NWFCC
    • NWFCC Documents
  • WHO’S WHO
  • COACHING
    • Croquet Coaching for You
    • Association Croquet
    • Golf Croquet Videos
    • Croquet Magic
    • Croquet “Matches of the Day”
    • Northern Croquet Academy
  • EVENTS
    • NWFCC LEAGUES
    • North West Festival of Croquet
    • National Inter Club Croquet Tournaments

Croquet in the North West

North West Federation of Croquet Clubs - for everything Croquet in the north west

You are here: Home / Archives for Culcheth

Bob Connop R.I.P.

26 March 2019 by Chris Alvey

Bob Connop, Culcheth Croquet Club – A Tribute by Alan Wright.

Bob Connop

Culcheth Croquet Club is sad to announce the death of Bob Connop. Bob was a long serving committee member at Culcheth and also a former officer of the North West Federation of Croquet Clubs. 

Bob was introduced to croquet by his wife Ann who played at Culcheth. Ann sadly passed away suddenly at the end of last year.  

His ability and enthusiasm for the game swiftly turned him into a formidable participant on the Croquet lawn.

Bob’s first competitive club game for Culcheth was at Llanfairfechan. The setting was idyllic, on the shores of the Menai Straits, the weather perfect and lunch of Coronation chicken was taken outside. The table was laid with a crisp white tablecloth and elegant crockery and Bob was treated regally  by his fellow Welsh members of Llanfairfechan Croquet Club. 

“If this is how croquet is played then I’m all for it,” Bob declared. He entered into club life enthusiastically, always seeking to find ways of improving his game and the results were there to see as his handicap quickly showed.

Bob however was also keen to help others improve and he took his coaching badge and set up courses which helped others to learn skills and play a better game.

Bob and Anne Connop

Bob and Ann also enjoyed playing in tournaments away from the North West and Croquet became a driving force in their lives. Recently his health hadn’t been good but he still took an interest in Croquet and was pleased to see many of his friends at the November Federation meeting.

Bob will be greatly missed in the Croquet world and at Culcheth we shall remember him and endeavour to be inspired by his drive and enthusiasm for the game he loved.

Alan Wright

2019, Culcheth, News

Penrith only North West Winner in National Inter Club Tournaments

9 October 2018 by Chris Alvey

The Croquet Association organise a range of national competitions for clubs.  Here is the list of tournaments featuring north west clubs in 2018:

THE INAUGURAL SHORT CROQUET INTER CLUB TROPHY 2018 (AC)
The CA website does not list this new tournament, however Penrith and North Lakes beat Bowdon 7-4 in the last round of the area matches, then…..
– 08 October – Congratulations to Penrith & North Lakes who beat Nottingham 6-5 in the Final

2018 Inaugural All England Short Croquet Champions – Penrith & North Lakes – Robin Swindell, Geoff Sonley, Ian Ward, John Henderson.

THE INTER-CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP 2018 (AC)
Advanced Level, no handicap restrictions.
Featuring Bowdon – see Inter-Club results here 
– 18 June – Bowdon beat Woking 4-3 –
see CA website report here  
– 03 Oct – Bowdon beat Bristol 5-1 – see CA website report here   
– 07 Oct – Bowdon beaten in Final by Surbiton – see CA website report here  

THE GOLF CROQUET INTER-CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP 2018 (GC)
Featured Bowdon and Culcheth – see GC Inter-Club results here 
– 12 May – Culcheth crash out in first round – see CA website report here  
– 02 Apr – Bowdon lost 2-4 at home to Nottingham in 1st Round – see report on CA website here  

 THE MARY ROSE INTER-CLUB TROPHY 2018 (AC)
Advanced Level, players must have Handicaps of 0 or greater and teams must have a gross handicap of at least 4.
Featuring Bowdon, Chester, Fylde and Pendle – see Mary Rose results here  
–  08 Aug – Chester beat Nottingham to reach semi-final – see report on CA website here  
–  13 Jul – Chester beat Bowdon 6-1 in 2nd Round – see report on CA website here  
–  22 Jun – Pendle lost 5-0 to Nottingham in 2nd Round – see report on CA website here  
–  29 Apr – Fylde lost 2-5 at home to Nottingham in a thrilling 1st Round match – see report on Fylde website here. 
–  26 Apr – Pendle beat Tyneside 4-3  in close 1st Round encounter  – see report on CA website here.   
–  19 Sep – Chester defeated by Watford in semi-final – see report on CA website here. 

THE GOLF CROQUET MURPHY SHIELD 2018 (GC)
Featured Pendle and Culcheth – see GC Murphy Shield results here   
– 12 May – Pendle disappointment in Durham losing 4-3 – see CA website report here  
– 08 May – Ashby beat Culcheth 4-2 in 1st Round – see report on CA website here

THE LONGMAN CUP 2018 (AC)
Handicap play, players must have a Handicap between 3.5 and 20.  Teams must have a gross handicap of at least 24.
Featuring Bowdon, Bury, Chester, Crake,  Pendle, Southport – see Longman Cup results here  
– 27 Jul – Bowdon lose out to Tyneside 3-4 – see report on CA website here  
– 25 Jun – Bowdon beat Chester 5-2 in 2nd Round  
– 30 Jun – Southport lose out to Tyneside – see report on CA website  
– 22 May – Southport knock out Crake 6-1 
– 27 May – Bowdon narrowly beat Cup holders Pendle 4-3
– 30 May – Chester beat Bury in ‘local derby’ 5-2 – see report on CA website by John Dawson   

THE SECRETARY’S SHIELD 2018 (AC)
Handicap play for players with a maximum handicap of 20.
Featuring Bury – see Secretary’s Shield results here 
Bury narrowly beaten by Sheffield 3-4 in Quarter Final  
In each round, normally one doubles and six single matches are played in a single day by a team of four, but variation is possible – refer to the full regulations for details.

 

Robin Swindell (Penrith) playing at York in inaugural Short Croquet Competition.

 

CA President, Quiller Barratt, presents the Longman Cup to Pendle captain Robin Delves. Also in picture: l to r - Libby Dixon; Paul Dowdall, Catherine Parnell. (October 2017)
CA President, Quiller Barratt, presents the Longman Cup to Pendle captain Robin Delves. Also in picture: l to r – Libby Dixon; Paul Dowdall, Catherine Parnell. (October 2017)

 

 

2017 Players in Murphy Shield at Nottingham (October)
2017 Players in Murphy Shield at Nottingham (October)

 

 

2018, Bowdon, Bury, Chester, Crake Valley, Croquet Association, Culcheth, Fylde, News, Pendle, Southport

Fylde Croquet Festival Winners 2016

27 June 2016 by James Hawkins

2016 Festival of Croquet 25-26 June 2016

Fylde - 2016 Festival Champions
Fylde – 2016 Festival Champions

The North West Federation of Croquet Clubs held its annual Inter-Club Championship at Southport & Birkdale Croquet Club on 25-26 June.

The festival is one of the UK’s largest gatherings of croquet players, with 75 people in play throughout. It comprises four events for different disciplines and different levels of experience within the sport, and Fylde won the trophy for overall victors.

Fylde had won the Handicap Singles event, and their pair of Peter Wilson and Lee Hartley beat the highly-ranked Bowdon team in the final of the Advanced Doubles. Respectable results in the other events gave them enough points to edge the main title, and nudge Bowdon down into runner-up position.

Bowdon took some consolation from an unbeaten performance in the Short Croquet, with their squad winning every match in the block stage and the later playoffs.

The Golf Croquet event produced a welcome victory for Culcheth. The club have been regular stalwarts of the Golf event but this is the first time they’ve earned the title since 2006, which they did with some solid and consistent play.

Paul Rigge from Bury tells us about that brilliant display from James Hawkins:

“Innings of the weekend must be given to the manager, James Hawkins, who responded to much barracking from the gallery by playing a ridiculous third turn break on the front court.
State of the game; Advanced AC rules. Pendle won the toss & elected to play.
T1 Green to east boundary just north of H4,
T2 White shoots..and misses. Replaced 1’ north of green.
T3 Brown runs H1 from A baulk directly south of it to cheers from gallery. Shoots at white some 23yds away..hits to cheers & applause. Stops white a little into field while giving rush on green to H2. Rushes Green to H2..applause. Stops green north east of hoop while holding position. Runs H2 giving rush back to white..applause. Rushes back and stops green to H4 giving rush on white to H3. Break under full control by H3. James holds easy 3BB together to 4b and quits under control, leaving 3 ducks for partner south east H2 (3 ducks – all balls in diagonal line) with a big smile to loud cheering and applause from the spectators…..”

 

Fylde - Advanced Winners
Fylde – Advanced Winners

Bowdon Short Winners
Bowdon Short Winners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time to say Thank You (Tony Thomas on behalf of Federation)
How did the management do?

Well the Festival seemed to run iteself! However, we all know this only happens when the event is expertly planned in advance and managed on the day quietly and efficiently. Thank you to James Hawkins, ably assisted by John Haslam, not forgetting Sue Hardman and Jean Hargeaves on the day.

How did the North Lawns Play?
In brief, better than ever. The days of the infamous cage and criticisms are becoming a distant memory as each year these lawns improve in quality. The time and effort needed to get this result was very much appreciated by players. Many thanks to David Key, Don Williamson and Terry Durrance.

How did the kitchen perform?
For only £8 players received tea/coffee/biscuits all day long, afternoon tea and a magnificent two course lunch. Once again Margaret Flemington and her team of helpers surpassed themselves – catering magnifique.!

Was it ready in time?
Of course it was, well done and thank you to the gangs of helpers from Southport who arrived before everyone else to get hoops, balls, flags, pegs, chairs, gazebos, etc. in position before 9am.

 

Fylde - Handicap Winners
Fylde – Handicap Winners

Culcheth - Golf Winners
Culcheth – Golf Winners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a Gallery of Photographs.  If you would like to add any, please send them to Tony Thomas at photos@www.croquetnw.co.uk

Pressing any photograph takes you to a navigable window of larger images.

Press here to see the Festival on the South Lawns on Saturday

Press here to see how the Seagulls viewed us

Thank you to Brian Kerr for the above videos.

Seagulls Eye View of the 2016 Festival (Photo: Brian Kerr)
Seagulls Eye View of the 2016 Festival (Photo: Brian Kerr)

Teams entered:
Advanced – Bowdon; Bury; Crake; Fylde; Pendle; Southport.
Handicap – Bowdon; Bury; Chester; Crake; Fylde; Southport.
Short – Bowdon; Bury; Chester; Fylde; Pendle; Southport.
Golf – Bowdon; Bury; Chester; Craig-y-Don; Culcheth; Ellesmere; Fylde; Llanfairfechan; Pendle; Southport.

2016, Bowdon, Culcheth, Federation, Festivals, Fylde, News, Southport

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

Find a Category

Search Box

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

Copyright © 2020 · North West Federation of Croquet Clubs