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.
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.