I played for eight days at Somerset West Croquet Club, South Africa in their February Tournament – a mixture of AC Advanced, Handicap & Doubles, although I didn’t compete in the pairs! 

SWCC is a beautiful club set in the middle of the local wine region, so row upon row of growing vines can be seen from any of it’s four courts, which are all hard & fast at this time of year! Another unique feature of this club is the way they ‘seem’ to have cured the problem of ‘rabbit runs’ under hoops – they bury bricks lengthwise twix the uprights  and cover them with a 8″x3″ piece of artificial turf blended into the surrounding grass, changing them when they show any wear. 

Play? The temperatures ranged during the week from 22°C to 35°C as I had match after match against locals and ‘swallows’ (UK players who winter down here). 

Happy to say that I progressed into both finals (Adv & Hcp) and then shut them both out against a -1.5 & 5. 

I’ve had a brilliant time, the members are very welcoming, the swallows are just as friendly and the local restaurants are amazing! … come on down, I’ll be back. 

Paul Rigge

Fylde currently rents space for our lawns at South Shore Lawn Tennis Club (SSLTC) in Blackpool. Many of you have been over here a few times, so you’re probably aware!

A private investor, in liaison with SSLTC, has applied for permission to build indoor padel courts on land currently occupied by two of our lawns. 

The local paper, The Gazette, has published a web article which wrongly implies that croquet will be no more. People in NW Fed have been asking what’s happening. We felt a web item might nip enquiries in the bud!

The Chair of SSLTC has kept us informed about the development since last year and, at that time, we were able to let our Members know that the development was being considered. (Details can be found here)

– It is expected that nothing will change for 2024 season. So, League fixtures etc continue.

– From 2025 we will be relocated to other grassy areas. SSLTC are offering to help with ground preparation beforehand ie flattening.

– there is ongoing discussion about accommodating our equipment and other facilities.

We just thought the federation should be aware of developments. 

Catherine Bass

Secretary

Fylde Croquet Club