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Running Croquet Hoops for the BHF

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DIGNITORIES RUN HOOPS AT BURY CROQUET Saturday 24th July 2021

Bury Mayor, Councillor Tim Pickstone, visited Bury Croquet Club’s open day at Whitehead Park, on Saturday 24thJuly. Also taking the opportunity to run the hoops Bury North MP James Daly, pictured with Church Ward Councillors Jackie Harris and Dene Vernon, and club Chairperson Barbara Young and President David Barrett.

The event run by the club formed part of British Heart Foundation Croquet Week, celebrating 60 years of BHF pioneering research, attracted a large number of visitors from the area many of whom tried their hand at playing thegame. Walshaw resident Glen stated “I have had totally the wrong perception of croquet thinking it was a stuffy upper class game, it’s actually good fun”.

The event was also supported by a number of other Councillors from neighbouring wards including, Clr. Jo Lancaster, Radcliffe North. Clr Yvonne Wright, Tottington. Clr. Liam Dean, North Manor and Clr. Jack Rydeheard, Elton who posted on his Facebook page – “Amazing to pop into Bury Croquet Club this afternoon – it was the first time I had played, and I very much enjoyed it. It’s addictive!”.

James Daly MP (left) watching hoop run by Cllr. Dene Vernon

The club President David Barrett, commented “It has been a wonderful day, and we are delighted with the way it has gone with an excellent attendance, and we hope to have raised a good amount of money for the BHF. We hope many of our visitors will come and try playing this great game again”. 

An additional attraction that created a lot of interest was a Model T Ford. In pristine condition, lovingly restored by club member Mac Hardman – when not playing croquet of course!

Cllr. Pickstone and James Daly MP with Mac Hardman and Model T Ford

Peg Decides Fylde Croquet Winner

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GED SMOLSKAS WINS FYLDE SHORT AC JUBILEE TROPHY 24/25 July 2021

Ged Smolskas

As with so many tournaments this year our numbers were down, we had six. On the plus side it created single banked games and a pleasantly quiet atmosphere during the games. Two time winner John Henderson beat Fylde’s Phil Snowden in round 1 with a masterclass of patience. Gediminas Smolskas narrowly beat John in a nail biting finish. Phil beat Ged in the final round. Both players are learning the game rapidly, but Phil pegged Ged out and his extra experience got him home.

Unfortunately by this point we had two withdrawals from our already small field of six. Both absentees had very good reasons. Replacements were brought in.

After the last round with a three way tie out of only four players, the tie breakers all remained equal. Five areas at different distances from the peg were chosen with 2 points for the nearest (2 yards), six points for the farthest ( 8 yards). John, Ged and Phil were asked to secretly select three areas on paper, then cards were drawn to decide the order of play. Ged scored 3 and 4 but missed from 6, but that proved to be the winning score.

The lawns played fast.

Hot Croquet Route to Festival

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National C Level GC Qualifier – Bury CC – Wednesday 21 July 2021

On a scorching hot July day, eight players played some quality golf croquet in Bury’s National C level qualifier. As the players were playing in extreme heat it was agreed to use 45 minute, time limited games and a draw would be an acceptable result.  If we hadn’t done so, it was highly likely someone would have suffered sun stroke.

Eight players in the Bury heat of the National C level GC competition

Very little separated the top 2 players with the key game featuring two Crake Valley members. The game was won by Peter Uglow against Sandra Cornes 7-6. Peter, impressive throughout, won all 7 games during the day whilst Sandra won 5 and drew one of her games. 

Peter is now planning how to get to the Isle of Wight during their Festival week to compete in the National Finals in September.

David Barrett presents Peter Uglow with a Trophy

The third and fourth places were taken by Bury members, John Cassell and Gail Burnett both of them new to tournament croquet.

The event was ably managed by David Cornes. 1st Peter Uglow (Crake Valley); 2nd Sandra Cornes (Crake Valley); 3rd John Cassell (Bury); 4th Gail Burnett (Bury). All results are on croquet scores except three 6-6 draws.  https://croquetscores.com/2021/gc/bury-national-c-level-qualifier/all-play-all

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