LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Readers are reminded that the views expressed in the letters pages of the Gazette are those of the authors only, and not those of their clubs, unless specifically indicated. A CENTENARIAN IN OUR CLUB! Yes, that’s right!
A CENTURY OF DAPHNE This is something special, a hundred years in the making. Daphne one hundred years, and still standing stronger than most of us, whether on the croquet lawn or beyond it. You’ve watched fashions come and go, seen the world shift and reshape itself, and somehow kept your balance better than any of us still trying to find ours. Out there with you, the game looks gentle until it begins. And then, quietly, without fuss, you show us exactly how it’s done. Calm. Precise. Effortless. As if to say, “Let’s keep it simple, shall we?” A hundred years of stories, of laughter, of quietly winning at life without ever needing to announce the score. Because if life were a croquet match, you didn’t just play you set the standard. Still here. Still sharp. Still reminding us that elegance and a good sense of humour never go out of style. So today, we celebrate you, Daphne a full century of grace, wit, and resilience. And, truth be told, probably the only one here who could still outplay us all… if you felt like it. Happy 100th Birthday, Daphne. You make a century look effortless.
Merton Croquet Club situated in south-west London likes to kickstart its croquet season with a club lunch at a local pub. It is a great way for club members to meet after the closed winter break. This year it included a very special occasion. One of our members, Daphne, had recently celebrated her 100th birthday! We hung banners up, made a cake, sang Happy Birthday and a poem, composed for her by our resident poet, was read out. (Poet-Elizabeth Mallari). It was a very joyous time. Daphne was invited to come and try her hand at croquet after her indoor bowls venue closed. She enjoyed it so much that she joined Merton Croquet Club, also she liked the people. She has now played Golf croquet for 23 years, initially learning the game, then taking part in internal and external matches. Daphne has signed up again this year and will continue to play as long as her health allows and the weather is kind. We love seeing her on the lawn playing croquet or having the
opportunity for a chat with her when we sit out. Perhaps that’s the answer to a long life, croquet!
ROGER'S TYPO UPSATE Genuine croquet-related typos to make you smile
This month's genuine snippet from history was a website announcement that the courts were closed on a summer day in 2021 because of waterlogging: Rain soaked - no play toady. Comment: I was a little insulted by that - I don't kowtow to anyone, you know.
Roger G, Phyllis Court
www.croquetengland.org.uk | 9
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