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Croquet Gazette Issue 422 | August 2026
CROQUET GAZETTE Issue 422| August 2026
Never in a million years did I think that I would be sat in a deck chair outside the front of Roehampton Club, watching Croquet on the big screen. But here I am, and there it is. Although you will need to wait until the October issue of the Gazette to read all about the Association Croquet World Team Championships, I am lucky enough to be writing this here, at Roehampton, from the Tier 1 event itself, where England are battling in the top tier for the MacRobertson Shield, along with Australia, New Zealand and America. Tiers 2 and 3 are being played at Nottingham Croquet Club where nine other countries are taking part, namely Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Wales, Czechia, Germany, Sweden, Latvia and Switzerland. Many of you know that I believe Croquet is not just a passion, it’s a little piece of heaven on earth. Having been to both Nottingham Croquet Club and Roehampton Club in the same week to see all the teams in this prestigious event, I was reminded that I’m just not the only one. The plethora of smart blue polo shirts of the Nottingham volunteers, highlights the determination and support delivered by the croquet community to ensure these events don’t just survive, they thrive. At Roehampton Club, there was a different kind of amazing support on show. The entire staff network could not have been more supportive of our event. From the grounds team who worked so hard to make the lawns perfect, through to the events team who have helped us prepare for our special occasion, we are lucky to have these people who are passionate about their sports club and those who visit them. The bar team didn’t just listen to stories and facts about our sport, they displayed the livestream on the big screen and then went on to share their newfound knowledge with the other members of the club. Tennis players and golfers ventured to the croquet courts for the first time, having learned about the event whilst ordering their post-match drinks. I have been reminded that we are part of something much bigger. We are a part of Sport. Sport brings community, friendship and passion. Sport brings us together, and together we are powerful, and proud. Alison Alison Maugham Editor editor@croquetengland.org.uk
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Front Cover: Levi Franks wins the Golf Croquet Open
Championship (Page 25) Image credit: Brian Carroll
CONTENTS 4 Tunnel of Time
5 The Chair’s Perspective 6 Volunteers at Southwell 7 Letters to the Editor 9 Psychological obstacles to croquet 11 Swindon’s Fourth Lawn 13 The MacRobertson Shield in prospect 14 Short Croquet Focus 16 Association Croquet News 20 Golf Croquet News 30 Rethinking the AC Handicap Game 31 Sunset to Sunrise 32 Coaching Pages 35 Sunny days ... from DB Mallets 36 Obituaries
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