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Two Croquet Diplomas for North West Stars

17 October 2020 by Tony Thomas

Croquet Association – Virtual AGM on You-Tube – 17th October 2020

At the Croquet Association AGM held on-line via You-Tube two well known members from the north west were awarded Croquet Association Diplomas for Services to Croquet.

Don Williamson for his outstanding work at Southport in lawn management and coaching and also Howard Bowron from Penrith and North Lakes for his excellent work in the development of the club. Their citations are presented below.

The Federation sends congratulations to both players.

Don Williamson – Southport & Birkdale Croquet Club & North West Federation 

Don Williamson

Don Williamson has been a stalwart member of Southport and Birkdale Croquet Club for over forty years, serving on the Committee many times including Chairman and Presidential roles. He has also taken a leading role within the North West Federation over the years as Coaching Officer and Federation Handicapper. 

Don has introduced numerous beginners to the game and within the club has organised hundreds of coaching sessions for beginners and improvers, in addition to running club sessions on Laws, Handicapping and Lawn Etiquette. He has also developed an expertise in Lawn Maintenance and the high quality lawns at Southport are a tribute to his enthusiasm and incredible number of hours devoted to mowing and supervision. He also enjoys repairing and renovating equipment and many beginners have started their croquet careers with a reconditioned mallet from him. 

Don has travelled extensively over the north west to run coaching sessions at other clubs and advise on development and handicapping. He is an AC Grade 1/2 Coach and Examiner, a Senior GC and AC Referee and an AC Championship and Examining Referee. He has refereed at many tournaments and international events. 

The contribution made by Don Williamson to Croquet in the north west at both club and regional level is immense, his expertise is widely recognised and respected throughout the area. 

Howard Bowron – Penrith & North Lakes Croquet Club 

Howard Bowron

Howard Bowron has played a central and pivotal role in helping the club to develop from its initial roots when croquet was started locally by members of U3A in the early 2000’s.  When Howard moved to Cumbria as an established croquet player, he came across the U3A players and soon joined in and helped paint a picture of the wider aspects of the game and its rules to those involved. 

In 2007 they moved to our current location, Edenhall Tollbar, playing on two short lawns initially on a cricket pitch outfield. The standard of grass we are told was not great, so one of Howard’s first jobs was to take charge of getting the two lawns into a better condition.  Howard, at members’ request took on the role of Chairman and Secretary and also continued with his quest to improve the playing surface, a passion he continues to directly contribute to today. 

One member from the early days at Edenhall and still involved quoted “Howard has tirelessly built up the infrastructure and has always been a source of encouragement to new and existing players. His enthusiastic nature has meant that a lot of members have stepped up to challenges they thought were beyond their capabilities and as such established a vibrant and popular croquet club”.

Over a number of years at the start of each season Howard has run various coaching sessions for all classes of members.  Howard has been a staunch supporter of AC at all levels of skill and has been instrumental in setting up the clubs short and full lawn leagues.  Howard encourages players to represent the club against other clubs as it helps to verify the handicaps that he is involved in moderating each year. 

2020, Croquet Association, Federation, News, Penrith, Southport

Penrith & North Lakes Croquet Club

 

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Edenhall & Langwathby Sports Ground
The Tollbar, Edenhall, Penrith, Cumbria

CA11 8SY

Located 4 miles north-east of Penrith on the A686 towards Alston.
(Before reaching the bridge over the river Eden, turn right at the sign for Edenhall).

Google map 

See the Who’s Who Page  for contact details

Welcome to Langwathby:

Penrith and North Lakes Croquet Club play at Langwathby Sports Ground near Penrith.  The club has two full size lawns which can be divided into ‘short’ lawns, in addition to another ‘short’ lawn.

Visitors are welcome and the club provides all the necessary equipment to play. Flat soled shoes are essential, but otherwise no specific clothing is needed.  Coaching sessions for beginners and those wanting to improve are arranged as required.

The playing season runs between mid April and the end of September, although play is often possible outside these dates.

The club runs internal competitions and also plays friendly matches against other local clubs at Keswick, Middlesbrough and Kendal (Levens Hall). The normal format is 14 point ‘short’ association croquet with teams of six players.

Club Sessions: Club sessions are held on:
Tuesday and Friday afternoons from 2.00pm to 5.00pm.

The lawns are also available to members on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm until dusk (Mid May to September) and on Sunday mornings throughout the summer. Members may also use the lawns at other times when other sports clubs who share the ground aren’t using it.

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History

The club was established in 2004 as an interest group within the Penrith U3A organisation by a group of novice players wanting to ‘have a go’.  A visit to the Keswick Croquet Club was arranged during which the rudiments of the game were explained.  A local croquet enthusiast Canon Gervase Markham allowed the group to use the croquet lawn and equipment at Morland Hall.

In 2005 the group set out to find their own premises. Following an approach to Eden District Council an area of ground adjacent to the football pitches at French Fields in Penrith was allocated. At the same time the group applied to join the Croquet Association (CA) and as a result were introduced to John Beech from the Pendle & Craven Club, who at that time was the Development Officer for the North West Federation of Croquet Clubs (NWFCC).  John arranged the loan of equipment from the CA and NWFCC and visited the club to help set out the lawns and give advice. Unfortunately the contractors responsible for cutting the grass were unsatisfactory and it became clear that a better venue was needed.

At the start of the 2006 season an agreement was made with the Trustees of the Langwathby Sports Ground to use a level area of the cricket outfield.  This site had the advantage of regular lawn maintenance and full use of the clubhouse and storage facilities.

Towards the end of 2007, it became apparent that to develop fully, the club should become independent of the U3A organisation. The club is now open to members of all ages and the committee aim to further improve the standard of play and enjoyment of the game through coaching and competitive play.

We acknowledge with thanks support received from Eden District Council, Cumbria Neighbourhood Forum and The Croquet Association.

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