Croquet in the North West

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

You are here: Home / Archives for News

Robin Tasker – New North West Rep on CA Council

by

Robin Tasker, an experienced AC player from Chester CC and known to many in the Federation has been elected to represent the North West Federation on the CA Council for a term of three years from 16th October 2021.

Robin follows in the footsteps of John Dawson, also from Chester, who has stepped down from this position after representing the North West with great distinction. On behalf of all members in the north west we thank John for his time and excellent contributions.

Here is more information:

North West Council Constituencey
Candidate Elected for October 2021 – 2024
Robin Tasker

I started playing croquet at Chester Croquet Club six years ago having played briefly in my twenties before the usual (and enjoyable) demands of life took over. And it was a good decision to do so as croquet provides a healthy outdoor activity combined with technical and mental challenges; and also a welcoming, well-organised and supportive community both in Chester and across the North West.

My working life was all about computer networks from being Head of Networking for a large UK Research Council to leading the UK’s efforts in the international standardisation of all matters related to data communications. As such policy and strategy were central to my work together with the need for clear communication, negotiation and diplomacy to get things done. Such skills are very much transferable, and it is these that I would wish to bring to this role.

At my first Southport Festival of Croquet I was inspired (and somewhat overawed!) by seeing the sheer numbers of people playing and enjoying the game, and again the sense of community was clear to see. For croquet to thrive and grow, tapping into this sense of belonging is vital. There is undoubted scope to reach a wider and more diverse audience but this must be approached realistically and in a sustainable manner. But nonetheless I believe this to be vital for croquet to confirm its relevance and to secure its future.

Personally I enjoy the competitive side of the sport and therefore see the improvement and development of both technical and tactical skills as key for a thriving sport at all levels within the game. Of course it is perfectly fine to simply enjoy the game, but actually it’s also great fun to see just how far you can be challenged. And often I am!

Proposer: Liz Wilson Seconder: John Dawson

Oxford Honour for Chester Croquet Player

by

Osian Williams of Chester played in the Oxford University AC croquet team which defeated Cambridge University this summer. He won his doubles but lost his singles.

Osian joined Chester last summer but with Covid had limited opportunities for competitive play both at Chester and Oxford. Nevertheless he got his AC handicap down to 14 to make the team.

Osian Williams

The back drop to the photo is of course not the Chester club house but Hurlingham where the Varsity match is played.

The Half Blue which Osian gained for representing Oxford is a useful addition to his CV

Brian Storey Wins Millenium Short AC Competition

by

Federation Millennium Shoirt AC Competition – Chester – 25th July 2021

Brian Storey with Millenium Short Trophy

The Millennium Short AC competition at Chester was keenly contested on Sunday by a small but select group of experienced AC players from Bowdon, Bury and Chester. It was a day of good news/ bad news. The good was that it was a lovely sunny day ; the bad that the lawns were lightning fast. One player tried to make light of his thin take off inevitably disappearing off the lawn by singing a pop song from his youth , ” Keep on runnin’ ”  – not quite as good as the 1965 original by the Spencer Davis Group .

The Swiss format over 4 rounds worked well with victories and defeats spread around. Brian Kerr and former winner, James Thomas both scored 3 wins and Robin Tasker, the tournament manager had to consult the ” who beat whom ” default. The match between Brian and James was fascinating; James took an early ball to rover but then had a frustrating spell of hard but unsuccessful long distance hit in’s as Brian slowly clawed back the deficit by cat and mouse tactics which threatened  both hoop scoring and the peels which he would need to do before pegging out. As time elapsed Brian was one up and won both the game and the overall competition.

James Thomas with Runners Up Wine

The winner took the trophy and both he  and James as runner up were presented with a bottle of the world famous Chester Sloping Lawn wine.  As the name suggests, the grapes must be grown on sloping ground – flat lawns produce flat wine, whereas sloping ground produces a wine  with an entirely different slant.  Once harvested, the treading of the grapes is a talent unique to players of the Association variant of croquet (far too complex a manoeuvre for devotees of Golf croquet).  I could go on, but suffice it to say that the whole process of production takes several years

A great time was had by all 

Chester Sloping Lawn Wine

Find a Category

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