A nice email to receive from someone making use of our site:

“I would just like to say a quick word of thanks! I’ve been able to get some great use out of your Federation’s Croquet resource links list as a youth services librarian while I’ve been running a fun project on the game of croquet for a small group of students over the last few weeks before the holiday break – thanks so much for sharing with us!  croquetnw.co.uk/croquet-favourite-links/

I hope you don’t mind, one of our youngest, Amelia has also asked me if I could share a piece that she and her mother found together on A Beginner’s Guide to Learning to Play Croquet, which includes a great breakdown on the history and origins of the game, equipment, rules, scoring, etc. I’ve included it below if you’d like to review!

We noticed you don’t have this one listed, but Amelia was actually the one to bring up that this could be something you might like to include for other students and families who may also have an interest in learning how to play, like our group!

If you find you are able to include her suggestion, would you please let me know? We’re meeting tomorrow for the first time since the holiday break, and I would absolutely love to surprise Amelia and the group if you’re able to do so – I’m hoping to keep spirits up in light of the last few year’s challenges and I think it would make her proud to see she was able to pay it forward and maybe even show her mother her contribution if it ends up being included!

Thanks again for all your help here

Chloe Pedersen

https://www.playgroundequipment.com/a-beginners-guide-to-learning-to-play-croquet/“

We have added the link you found Amelia, thank you for getting it to us

On a warm, sunny day Fylde kindly hosted the NW Federation Advanced B level AC Final.

Both Bowdon and Crake Lakes fielded strong sides and an evenly contested final was delivered.

In the morning games Neil Adams proved too strong for Bowdon’s Charles Harding whilst John Lucas & Adrian Apps evened the scores with a +1 win over Steve Skelton & John Henderson.

The afternoon saw Neil beat John and Charles overcome Steve. The overall winning “peg out” was achieved by John Henderson who made solid breaks against Adrian.

Final Score Bowdon 2 Crake Lakes 3.  The Trophy was presented to Captain Steve Skelton by the 2022 League Manager, David Cornes.

12 players were due to compete in the 2nd Annual Crake Valley Ladies GC Open. Unfortunately, Sara Clements (Chester) had to withdraw the day before due to her vehicle breaking down in the Highlands of Scotland with no replacement part available until after the Bank Holiday.  Crake member, Brenda Knight, stepped forward, even though she has extremely limited experience, to complete the full complement.

The format was “all play all” with the top 4 to progress to the knockout stages, but unfortunately after 4 rounds Sue I’Anson (Ripon Spa) was too unwell to continue and had to withdraw. The Tournament Manager made some slight adjustments and by Sunday lunchtime the remaining 11 players had completed 10 eligible rounds.

Defending Champion, Sandra Cornes (Crake Valley) recorded 8 wins, as did Jane Pringle (Auckland) and Glynnis Davies (Northampton). Marcia Henderson (Auckland) taking 7 wins to complete the knockout qualifiers.

The “Auckland Derby” semi-final was won by Jane 10-7, whilst Glynis gained revenge from the block match with a comfortable 10-5 win over Sandra.  Sandra took 3rd place with a 7-4 win against Marcia whilst the final was being closely contested on the adjacent lawn.  The quality of play in the final was, as expected, of a high standard with Glynis coming out on top 10-7.

In the plate knockout, the final was contested between 2 players new to tournament play but who took to the challenges extremely well. Liz Jordan (Llanfairfechen) overcame Jo-Ann Hughes (Bishop Monkton) 7-3 to win her first trophy.

Thanks go to the catering team of Tom Grievson (Chester) and his helper Sam Seal (Llanfairfechan). Also, to Frank Sharps for the superb condition of the lawns. All players thoroughly enjoyed the weekend which was played in a competitive but friendly manner.

Pictures show Chair Simon Robins giving the Ladies Open trophy to Glynis Davies, the “plate” to Liz Jordan and the spectators watching the final.