THE CHAIR’S PERSPECTIVE
By Carol Driver Chair of the Trustees, Croquet England
I really enjoy visiting croquet clubs and am always surprised by how different they are but all share a love of croquet and the hard work of volunteers to keep them running. At Ramsgate club which is right next to the sea, I watched the Golf Home Internationals in July. I met Marie, Tim and Jeanette (see photo) working cheerfully in the kitchen who prepared a fantastic lunch. The tournament manager was Tobi Savage who gave up his weekend to do this even though he works full time and has a young family. (see photo). In early September I visited with my husband Ken, two fantastic Yorkshire croquet clubs, Huddersfield and Ben Rhydding. Huddersfield croquet club is based in a local park and they play on what was previously a crown green bowling lawn. They introduce croquet to new members by playing AC. Ken and I met president Majorie (see photo) and other members and received a wonderful warm welcome. Ben Rhydding croquet club is situated in countryside with a magnificent backdrop of the Dales. I met hard working Secretary Penny and Eileen (see photo) and lots of other members. The club is thriving despite the challenge of playing on quite bumpy lawns shared with a tennis club. They recruit new members successfully through contacts with U3A. Club players enjoy the challenge of navigating the lawns and this reminded me that croquet is a really great game that can be enjoyed on any lawn. At Croquet England we rely heavily on volunteers such as those I met this summer and we really appreciate all the work they do. Last winter we published our Volunteer Charter which is a helpful document for clubs. This sets out how we as organisation would like our volunteers to be treated and what they can expect in return, I recommend that everyone reads it and reflects on how it can be implemented in your club. It can be found on the Croquet England website.
A trip to Huddersfield Croquet Club
Tobi Savage at Ramsgate Croquet Club
Above: In the kitchen at Ramsage Croquet Club Left: Penny and Eileen at Ben Rhydding
www.croquetengland.org.uk | 5
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