... CELEBRATIONS
including Parkinson’s, Cancer, and Alzheimer’s. Meeting James Smith, the social prescriber who embraced croquet as part of this work, and seeing participants playing, laughing, socialising, and enjoying cake together at the end of the session, was deeply affecting. It showed how croquet can help people stay active, reduce isolation, build friendships, and enjoy time with loved ones in a safe and welcoming environment. The visit strengthened my belief that this kind of wellbeing work should be developed more widely. Croquet can, of course, provide pathways to elite competition and international success, but it can also offer something just as important: connection, purpose, and community. The Pendle and Craven project demonstrate what is possible when clubs, volunteers and local partners collaborate with imagination and compassion.
Image above: Andy with Donna and Ian Longstaff at Pendle & Craven Croquet Club Image below left: Backpage back page Bury Time
demonstrated his media credentials by holding a short interview with me and before we knew it our visit had made it into another local paper! Bowdon Croquet Club then provided a world-class venue for a world-class occasion as it hosted the England versus Spain Golf Croquet Test Match. The playing surfaces, organisation and
have fun, improve, compete and build friendships. They are part of the quiet engine room of croquet, and our sport is stronger because of them. Roy
Playing a friendly with Chris and Anne Alvey
www.croquetengland.org.uk | 6 the importance of volunteers was impossible to miss. People like Roy, Chris and Anne give their time, skill, and enthusiasm so that others can Our journey then took us to Bury Croquet Club, where we enjoyed a great game with club legend Roy Spencer, along with Chris Alvey and Anne Alvey of DB Mallets. Once again,
Image above: Players from the England and Spain teams with their trophies and gifts (Full tournament report to follow in a future Croquet Gazette)
Continued on page 7
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