VOLUNTEERS AT GRASS ROOTS LEVEL ARE ESSENTIAL!
Elaine Maiden (Southwell Croquet Club)
Without a doubt, recognition should be given to all volunteers who play such an important part at ‘grass roots level croquet’ , especially when it comes to clubs offering competitions for outside competitors. Help is vital! Organising an event requires willing volunteers. From the time-keepers on each lawn for players using secondary balls; the willing helpers who meet and greet players on arrival; those who arrive early to set up the lawns; erect gazebos; prepare refreshment tables; the list of hidden jobs needing to be covered by a “willing volunteer” is endless.
Palfreyman from Woodhall Spa. Both pairs then competed for the Trent Valley Trophy, whilst all the other players and volunteers watched every stroke intently. At the end of play the Trent Valley Trophy was presented to the worthy winning pair: Andrew Grant and John Palfreyman from Woodhall Spa. Congratulations to them.
At Southwell Croquet Club, the Trent Valley Trophy was recently held. This doubles competition for GC players attracted competitors from all over the East Midlands Federation. Volunteers helped to make this event such a huge success. Donned in wet-weather gear, under umbrellas, they sat for hours with stop watches, carefully timing the secondaries. Hot drinks, on a very wet and blustery day, were always available, a volunteer making this possible. Hats-off to all our volunteer helpers, most of them haveingbeen members of Southwell Croquet Club for less than three years. Such is their dedication to our club. So, in its third year now, the Trent Valley Trophy 2026 competition took place on three half-size lawns, with challenging weather conditions. 24 players from Gainsborough, Derby, Pinchbeck, Torksey, Woodhall Spa, Branston and Southwell competed. At the conclusion of play the winners from Block A were Mike Bilton and Susan Alderman from Gainsborough. The winners from Block B were Andrew Grant and John
Thanks to all who competed and volunteered in this annual event. Remember to earmark the Trent Valley Trophy 2027 ready for next year !
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