Issue 412 | December 2024 CROQUET
GAZETTE
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www.croquetengland.org.uk | 2 The promotional code HOOPS10 cannot be combined with other charity/member/association/media or affiliate promotion codes or onboard future cruise offers. It may only be combined with an Ambassador Campaign Promotional code advertised on the Ambassador website. The promotional code is not valid on Ambassador’s Festive Events, selected charters and cannot be used over Ambassador’s Black Friday promotional period. The promotional code can only be used for new bookings only made directly on Ambassador’s website or through our call centre, it cannot be used for bookings made through travel agents or other third parties. Promotional code is valid on all new bookings from 1st November 2024 until 30th March 2025 closing at 23:59 for all 2024/2025/2026/2027 season sailings. The promotional code may be discontinued at any time at Ambassador’s discretion. A valid Croquet England membership number is required to use the promotional code. The membership number used must match the surname of the lead booker on the reservation. Ambassador reserves the right to remove the promotional code if your membership number is not validated by Croquet England. Should you then cancel your booking you will lose the full deposit paid. Fares subject to availability and may be withdrawn or changed without notice. For full terms and conditions of booking visit www.ambassadorcruiseline.com. Extras not included: Travel insurance, travel costs to/ from the port of embarkation, port parking, onboard gratuities and service charges where a package has not been purchased (automatically billed to the onboard account), optional shore excursions, discretionary expenditure of a personal nature including hot and cold alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks, gifts, shopping, laundry, Wi-Fi and communication, and any visa & health certificate charges that may apply. Ambassador Cruise Line reserves the right to cancel, change or amend any theme cruise activities/speakers/acts at short notice. In the event of your cruise being cancelled, you will be guaranteed a full refund. Cruise holidays booked with Ambassador Cruise Holidays Limited, trading as Ambassador Cruise Line, are financially protected in accordance with the Package Travel and Linked Arrangements Regulations 2018. Copyright 2024. Ambassador Cruise Holidays Limited is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 13299365.
WELCOME In December 2021 I became the Editor of our beloved Croquet Gazette. In the last three years I hope that I have helped the Gazette evolve into a magazine where you can enjoy a variety of stories, find inspiration and feel part of our Croquet Community. I would like to say thank you so much to the proof readers who work tirelessly in the background, the volunteers who write tournament reports and the committees who ensure we have the latest information our clubs and players need to thrive. Since we took back the production of the Gazette you have come forward with your welcome opinions and suggestions about what you would like to see in your Croquet Magazine. This has influenced a change in the type and style of article that now appears in each issue. Of course we must always strive for bigger and better, so further changes can be expected. I would like to make a special thank you to those of you who have sent such kind messages of support and encouragement, letting me know that you are enjoying the Gazette and your appreciation of the work from all the volunteers that help create it. Alison Maugham Editor editor@croquetengland.org.uk BERNARD NEAL AWARD 2024 The Bernard Neal Award was instituted in March 2020 in recognition of exceptional services to croquet. This award has been titled so that in years to come members can be reminded of the many outstanding contributions to the sport made by Bernard Neal who died in 2016. He was President of The Croquet Association from 2004‐2009. There are strict eligibility criteria to be met for this award. JOHN REDDISH John Reddish was President of the Dulwich Sports Club for 17 years until 2014 and was Secretary of the South East Federation from 2010 to 2020. In 2018 he was elected as the Representative of the Federation on the Croquet Association's Council. He served, for a year, on the Council and the Management Committee. In 2019 he did not stand for re‐election but retained an interest in CA affairs and was appointed as Chairman of the Development Committee in October 2019. In 2020 he became the first Chairman of the new Funding Committee. In 2021 he became Honorary Secretary of the CA, later to take on the role of Honorary Secretary to Croquet England. He had a key role in forming the Charity and converting to Croquet England, giving untold hours of his time and legal expertise that are much appreciated with this Bernard Neal Award.
Croquet England Issue 412 | December 2024 Issue 412 | December 2024 CROQUET
GAZETTE
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CONTENTS 4 5 6 7 Hibiscus Tunnel of Time Lithuanian Croquet Prodigy Front cover: Croquet for Wellbeing, Gediminas Smolskas, Ryde's Youth Championship, Ian Vincent BEM
Chairman's Column Letters to the Editor Association Croquet News
10 17 25 43 49
Golf Croquet News Unofficial History Coaching Pages
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HIBISCUS COLUMN
Dave’s highly sophisticated workshop, so he takes orders by phone from clients who know almost nothing of what they want or need. Head length: 10 inches is a safe starting point; 12 and over provides greater pendulum potential for experts. Shaft length: as you definitely don’t want a handle punching you in the stomach on certain shots, take your grip into account. If in doubt, order long ‐ 36 inches +. To emphasise the blindingly obvious, shafts can be cut down, but not extended. At any croquet gathering, there will be rows of Trimmers, readily identifiable by dark gold‐flecked heads attached to shafts by thick brass rings. Owners are generally happy to hand them over for a few shots, even a game if time allows. Trial and error are great pointers, so borrow lots before you make the final call. When you do, pay extra to pick your mallet out in a crowd by having your initials engraved on the brass band. Also ask for an airline shaft. Breaking your mallet in two creates a deadly weapon with a solid head attached to a much more wieldy handle so no chance of hand luggage, but at least you can pack it in a suitcase when travelling to international tournaments. Never imagine this will never happen: more from Hibiscus soon.
Of course there are many other mallet options, almost all of them cheaper, some of them equally fit for purpose. Arguably wood is more sympathetic; certainly it’s more traditional. The number 2 spot in the 2024 rankings goes to Don Oakley, a Canadian timber merchant who chanced on a need for oak mallets as well as kitchen cabinets in the 1990s. Third and fourth are Kiwis, the aggressive Teminator nylon/fibre glass design and the elegant and highly prolific Wood Mallets. And so to hollow metal heads, represented in fifth place by the appealingly named PFC Hoop Maker from New South Wales. In theory, eliminating wind resistance makes it easier to swing straight in blustery conditions, the new norm in the climate change era. The Hoop Maker promises a lot more than that, its holes creating a percussion chamber that makes a ball hit at 80% travel the same distance as one hit at 100% by any other mallet. As hitting softly is demonstrably more accurate, it eagerly claims win, win. Not convinced? Dr Ian Plummer tells me I could easily make my own: oxfordcroquet.com.
by Minty Clinch I’ve heard of people sleeping with golf clubs, but not as yet with a croquet mallet, though it would be an easier bedfellow. One of the joys of the game is that you can learn it with no capital outlay beyond your subscription. As soon as you sign up, you put on your sneakers, take your pick from a range of club mallets and dive into free coaching. Shortly afterwards, you wake from a dream about a four ball break. Or maybe a nightmare. Hollow eyes in a gaunt face brushing its teeth in the mirror confirm the reality. Yes, it’s addiction. So it’s time to buy a mallet. The best ones, by global acclamation, are made from carbon fibre and kevlar by Dave Trimmer. His website announces ‘Due to high demand, orders placed now will be fulfilled in June 2025’. Eight months away. When I ordered mine in 2021, it was three. As a ‐1 handicapper, Dave occasionally takes time out to play at the top table, along with his much more extrovert brother, Pete (‐2). I assume this conjures a mate’s wait for the likes of England captain, Samir Patel, who endorses the brand with a model with a long curved handle to reduce wrist strain. Few make the pilgrimage to Penult, the Gillingham house that contains
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TUNNEL OF TIME by Chris Williams Croquet England Archivist
made, “have been the best for many a year;”’ the game is no longer “known as the ugly duckling of British sport.” We should think not indeed! When a group of ITV men descended on Devonshire Park recently they button‐ holed everyone available to ask, almost indignantly, why so fine a game was not being represented at the Olympic Games (they were partly reassured when informed of the existence of the MacRobertson Trophy and this country’s acquisition thereof). This was by no means the first time that a croquet broadcast has been given this season, and a still more imposing team arrived from Broadcasting House later in the fortnight. Chairman’s Report of Council Meetings 1964 Commenting on the difficulty of obtaining Managers for C.A. Tournaments, the Chairman referred to a letter he had received from the Manager of the Championship stating that he would not be prepared to manage this Tournament again owing to the rudeness to which he had been subjected by 4 of the top players. The Chairman deplored such conduct and warned of the considerable difficulty which would be experienced in finding Managers if it were allowed to continue. He thanked Maj. Dibley and Mr. Roper for their great services in managing so many tournaments. 70 YEARS AGO In the December 1954 Gazette (#8) The 1954 Season by Maurice B. Reckitt THERE have been two exceptional features of the past season, one very pleasant, the other very much the reverse. To get the unpleasant subject over first, let us be content to put on record that 1954 gave us the chilliest and most sunless, if not actually the wettest, summer for half a century. “Everyone complains about the weather,” said Mark Twain, “but no one ever does anything about it.” Yet croquet players come nearer to “doing something about it” than the
devotees of most games, for they play in conditions which drive cricketers and tennis players into the pavilion. The gloomy report “rain stopped play” is one that has very seldom to be recorded of our tournaments. Yet we all felt disappointed that the weather should show itself at its worst in a summer honoured by the visit of so distinguished a player as Mr. Arthur Ross. Naturally we wished our New Zealand friends to see our croquet settings at their best. But no one took the weather more philosophically than Mr. and Mrs. Ross, nor did it seem in the least to abate the zest and the interest they showed in all they saw wherever they went. We shall all hope, however, that the team their dominion is, as we expect, to send us in 1956 will not have so surly a reception from the weather. Notes from the Clubs We hear at BUDLEIGH SALTERTON in late October, Croquet was still being played. The motto of the players being “If we can’t play in summer, we’ll play in winter. 100 YEARS AGO In the 2nd December 1924 Gazette No. 489 (VOL XXI No.28) VISIT OF THE AUSTRALIANS In response to an invitation of the Council of the C.A. an Australian Team will visit England in 1925, and will consist of four players. Three Test Matches will be played at Roehampton, Cheltenham and Bedford, the match at Roehampton being fixed for Saturday, June 27th. The dates of the other Test Matches (if more than three are decided on ) will be announced, and further particulars given in due course. Past Gazettes can be found on the Croquet England website at https:// www.croquet.org.uk/?p=ca/ gazette&Action=Issues. Currently there are searchable scans of the Gazette back to 1954, when the current numbering system started, on the website.
In this section we once again take a look through the 'Tunnel of Time' to see what was taking place in the Croquet World in the past as seen in the Croquet Gazette. 55 YEARS AGO In the January 1970 Gazette (#109) CONFERENCE OF CLUBS 22nd November, 1969 Mr. Christopher Jaques gave an interesting talk on the manufacture of Croquet equipment. He said that lignum vitae, the hardest and heaviest wood for mallets is in short supply and that good Boxwood is unobtainable. A mahogany coloured wood called Rockwood is the only possible substitute. Round mallets are more liable to cracking than square ones. Man‐made materials would be four times as expensive as wood. 50% of shafts are made of hickory which is also in short supply. Dagami, a boxwood‐coloured wood from Cuba, is pliable and equally good. There is only a small demand for steel shafts. Mallets should never be oiled; they should be kept in an even temperature. A wax polish and varnish are beneficial. 60 YEARS AGO In the December 1964 Gazette (#78) The 1964 SEASON – A Retrospect by Maurice B. Reckitt Readers of this journal will no doubt be thrilled to know that they are now “with it”. “Croquet,” we read, in no less a periodical than the Daily Telegraph “has suddenly become an ‘in’ game.” Having got in, as all Associates well know, the great thing is to stay in, and with the invigorating attention now being given to the game, both in the Press and over the air, there seems a good chance that we shall, and make not a break but a breakthrough to the consciousness of the public. “Sales of croquet sets this summer,” we read in the article from which quotation has already been
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LITHUANIAN CROQUET PRODIGY Followers of the Croquet England Facebook page won’t fail to have noticed a new name frequently appearing as a tournament winner this season – Gediminas Smolskas, better known as Ged. GEDIMINAS SMOLSKAS WAS INTERVIEWED FOR CROQUET GAZETTE BY BURY CLUB CHAIRMAN ROY SPENCER
Who is he and where does he come from? 37‐year‐old Ged is a member of Bury Croquet Club. Originally from Lithuania, he has lived in England for seven years and only took up croquet in 2020 during lockdown. So how did the now Wigan resident become involved in croquet? Simply out for a walk in Coronation Park Radcliffe with wife Gabi, they saw two Bury Croquet Club members practising. Whilst not allowed in the ground due to Covid regulations, they watched for a little while and became interested and took away details, then researched the sport on the internet.
sacrificing anything else – just working and playing croquet, and my wife comes with me otherwise I wouldn’t spend any time with her! Effervescent Gabi also acts as driver after a long day of croquet, advisor and encourager. Regarding work, Ged feels that his job as a land surveyor (which involves measuring and angles) helps with his croquet as they are an important aspect of the game. Croquet is not a sport played in his home country, except in gardens at parties. Ged played American pool for 10 years, and snooker – again a croquet connection. Ged’s favourite players are Reg Bamford and Matthew Essick, and one day hopes to play in the USA with the ultimate ambition of wearing a CqE England shirt! In the meantime, his plans for the 2025 season are to play ‘A’ class tournaments and win more trophies.
He then started to become involved in tournaments and this season has been traveling the country with wife Gabi resulting in winning 9 tournaments and achieving a zero handicap. His AC world ranking is 180 and England 87th. He has an attacking style of play and stated that he was pleased to end the season beating a minus 1.5 opponent. When asked how he found the time to take part in so many tournaments around the country Ged stated by
When play became possible after lockdown, Ged and Gabi joined Bury Croquet Club and attended coaching sessions with club AC coach Chris Alvey. It soon became clear that he had an aptitude for the game, particularly AC. He took part in club sessions and internal leagues, and also subsequently played in the club’s Longman Cup and Mary Rose teams, with ongoing coaching from Chris Alvey and also Paul Rigge.
Ged being presented with the Honeygrove Cup
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CHAIRMAN'S COLUMN by Samir Patel Chair of the Board of Trustees
Having recently published our strategy for Croquet in England to inspire players in a safe, inclusive, and diverse community, the Board of Trustees is now moving towards developing more detailed work in each of the seven areas. These groups will look at the work already being implemented by volunteers within Croquet England and in Clubs and Federations, building on these to identify more detailed plans. This will include determining the relative priorities for each, the targets we wish to reach and how we will monitor our progress. Each group will be trustee‐led, but we are looking for knowledgeable and passionate individuals from across our community to support this work. If you have ideas, knowledge of these areas and want to help us drive the development of Croquet, please contact me (samir.patel@croquetengland.org.uk). • Play: More people playing more people in more places. • Coaching and Tournament Officials: Supporting Roles that grow and sustain our sport. • Safety: Ensuring everyone can enjoy croquet in a safe environment • Inclusion: Actively encouraging more people from diverse backgrounds and identities. • Wellbeing: A sport that is accessible and enjoyable at any age. • Funding Growth: Securing more money to grow all levels of our sport. • Sustainability: Responding to the challenges of climate change.
The trustees set completion of this work as one of our objectives for the coming year. The others are: • Establishing Trustee Elections as business as usual. Our constitution sets out the role of an Electoral Commission to define the number of constituencies and their boundaries, and the procedures and timetable for elections. A group, independent of the Trustees, has been working on this, and the Trustees wish to ensure that implementation is mature so that elections are held no later than the next AGM. • Improve succession planning – We are aware that we have a number of individuals in important roles who will be difficult to replace, and there are examples of one person having to be replaced by several. We are obviously delighted by the commitment shown but recognising that no‐one can remain in a role forever, need to look at improving our resilience. • Working towards Compliance with Tier 3 of Sport England’s Code of Governance. This code incorporates established practices and research findings from multiple sports, large and small. Each of these changes are small, but collectively they will improve how we govern and run our sport and open opportunities for other forms of support from Sport England.
CHARITY ONE‐BALL 2025 CALLING ALL CLUBS WILL YOU PLAY A HEAT OF THE CHARITY 1‐BALL IN 2025? 46 clubs together in 2024 raised the magnificent sum of £8288.51 for the British Heart Foundation. In 2025 we are playing for the Alzheimer's Society, wearing something blue, and sending heat winners to either regional Final at Surbiton or Nottingham on 17 May.
Want to know more? Contact: Debbie James
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CROQUET IN THE COMMUNITY ‐ MOVE WELL, LIVE WELL From the Croquet Community Surbiton CC is located within the Royal Borough of Kingston
Upon Thames (RBK) and we have been enthusiastic supporters of Kingston Council’s Move Well, Live Well initiative. The Council has been bringing together “clubs, groups, classes and activities to help” citizens “stay active and connected.” Connections are being formed both on‐line and in person. Our picture shows Surbiton Treasurer Cliff Hunter and Secretary Adrian Coles extolling the virtues of croquet and Surbiton CC at a Move Well, Live Well event, held in Kingston’s historic Guildhall at the end of October 2024. There were three significant benefits of taking part. First, over a dozen people gave us email addresses or phone numbers so we could forward details of our open day and introductory courses next spring. As importantly, we had useful and rewarding conversations with our co‐exhibitors. We swapped ideas with a local bowls club on attracting new members. We discussed with the local refugee council how those seeking to become more culturally aware might benefit from an introduction to croquet. And we spoke to the local hospice on whether we could put on an event for their staff at some stage. We chatted to most of the more than 20 exhibitors at some stage. Finally, we strengthened our relationship with the local authority. We already knew the event organiser, RBK’s
Physical Activity, Exercise and Sports Development Support Officer, having welcomed him with a special two‐hour introduction to croquet earlier in the summer. We now look forward to working with him next year. We already know that RBK will be helping us to publicise our open day next year, and we expect other initiatives as the relationship develops. All in all Cliff and Adrian said that they couldn’t have spent three hours with the local Council more productively or enjoyably!
From Patricia Duke‐Cox The names of Benefactors to the Croquet Association used to be read out at the AGM. The practice was changed to make it more relevant to current members by reading the names for the previous 25 years and thanking them for their philanthropy. In 2021 it was agreed that the names should be published in the Gazette and still related to the previous 25 years and would reach a wider audience if printed. With a recent handsome bequest in 2024 it is time to thank all those who have given kindly to what is now Croquet England. 2011 Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club 2014 Patricia Duke‐Cox 2016 Bernard Neal 2019 Alec Coleman 2020 Brian Shorney 2024 Eleanor Rushby CROQUET ENGLAND BENEFACTORS 2006 Alan Blenkin John Beech 2007 Tom Anderson Judy Anderson John Wheeler Pandora Wheeler 2008 David Maugham Jeff Dawson 2010 Tremaine Arkley Patricia Shine
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GC OFFICIAL RULINGS by Stephen Mulliner | Chairman, WCF GCRC
OR 8.4.4 – OFFSIDE DIRECTION In Rule 8.4.4, the words "after all balls moved by the stroke are replaced and any points scored by the stroke are cancelled" should be interpreted as if they read: "in which case all balls moved by the stroke are replaced, any points scored by the stroke are cancelled and play continues by the offside owner replaying the stroke in accordance with the offside direction." Commentary This Ruling confirms that, if an offside opponent exercises their right to give or repeat an offside direction, the next stroke in the game is a replay of the offside owner’s last stroke from the designated penalty area. The offside opponent is also entitled to let the offside owner’s stroke stand and, in that case, the next stroke in the game is played by the offside opponent. OR 12.1.2 – OVERLAPPING PLAY In Rule 12.1.2(b), the words “the non‐striking side is to lose its next stroke (see Rule 6.3.7)” are to be interpreted as if they read: “the unlawful stroke is not replayed and the striker’s side plays the next stroke in the game with the partner ball of the ball played in the lawful stroke.” Commentary This confirms that the non‐striking side loses only the stroke that it played prematurely and clarifies what happens next.
The WCF Golf Croquet Rules Committee has issued the following Official Rulings in accordance with WCF Statute 133.5.4. They take effect from 7 October 2024. OR 6.2.1 – START OF THE STRIKING PERIOD In Rule 6.2.1, the words “apparent intent” are to be interpreted as if they were a Glossary term with the following definition: APPARENT INTENT A player takes a stance with apparent intent to play a stroke when a referee or other observer might reasonably conclude that the stroke about to be played could be played from that stance. Commentary The words “when a player has taken a stance with apparent intent to play a stroke” refer to the impression given by the stance and not to the player’s state of mind. A player who takes a stance, which appears to a referee or other observer to be a stance from which they can reasonably play their next stroke, has started the striking period. A statement or series of statements from the player that they do not yet intend to play their stroke will not prevent the striking period from starting. If the player contacts with a ball in a practice swing after the striking period has started, they will play a stroke and possibly commit a fault. Prior to the occurrence of any such contact, the player remains entitled under Rule 6.2.2 to quit the stance under control and then restart the process of playing the stroke.
CHILDREN'S CROQUET SET!
Introducing the perfect way to get your kids outdoors and active – the Children's Croquet Set! This delightful set is designed to bring hours of fun and excitement to your little ones, all while they learn the classic game of Croquet. Why Choose Our Children's Croquet Set? • Engaging and Educational: Croquet is not just a game; it's a fantastic way for children to develop hand‐eye coordination, strategic thinking, and social skills. • High‐Quality Materials: This Croquet set is crafted with care from durable materials that ensure long‐lasting play.
• Complete Set: The set includes everything your child needs to start playing right away – mallets, balls, hoops, and more. • Perfect for All Ages: Whether your child is a beginner or has some experience, this set is suitable for kids of all ages. Special Offer – Limited Stock! We are excited to offer the Children's Croquet Set at a special discounted price of £197, down from £264. This is a limited‐time offer, so don't miss out on the chance to bring this wonderful game into your home. Plus, it would make a perfect Christmas present! Order Now! Visit our website to purchase the Children's Croquet Set and take advantage of this fantastic offer. Hurry, limited stock available! Bring joy, laughter, and learning to your back garden with the Children's Croquet Set. Order today and watch your children create unforgettable memories! https://www.croquetengland.org.uk/product/childrens‐croquet‐set/
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR GOLF CROQUET RULES 6TH EDITION It is pleasing to read that the WCF Golf Croquet Rules Committee have issued an Official Ruling on Rule 8.4.4 that realigns 8.4.4 with the general understanding that an offside opponent can immediately require a replay if an offside ball is played either without waiting for or having ignored an offside direction. Response to GC Rules 6th Edition: I am grateful to Nick Harris for raising the need for an amendment to Rule 8.4.4 with Croquet England and the WCF. The Official Rulings can be found on page 9. Ian Cobbold Chair of the GC Rules Committee When the WCF published the 6th Edition of the Rules, the subtle changes to 8.4.4, which altered the meaning radically, went unnoticed. Those changes, if applied as written, meant that the offside owner would lose the outcome of their stroke without a replay. The Official Ruling re‐establishes the original intentions of 8.4.4. Nick Harris DOUBLE L BANKING Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens is in the care of English Heritage. From April to October each year, the members of Belsay Hall Croquet Club are privileged to don their whites (an EH stipulation) and play on two lawns, tended by the EH gardeners. We are on display at all times to those visiting the property who pass by. The scene is one befitting our English Heritage. As treasurer of BHCC, in common with club treasurers up and down the land, I recently received a letter from Lloyds Bank informing me that as of January 2025, they would be ending our free banking and imposing a monthly fee (£4.25) plus charges of 92p per cheque. On contacting the Lloyds Business Department to plead our case that we are a tiny club with low turnover and few transactions, I was told that this was a business decision but that I could register a complaint if I wished – I did so. Being located within the EH property, all our lawn maintenance is carried out by their gardeners, so our membership subscription is just £30 each year – about £20 of this goes to CqE and our local Federation ‐ leaving just £10 per member to cover the running expenses of the club. The effect of the charges will be to absorb about 15% of the club’s residual income in 2025, and what is to stop Lloyds ramping up the charges each year if they feel they have got away with it this time! Needless to say, my complaint has been rejected. Lloyds Bank continues to offer free banking to charities but not to their affiliated clubs. This will not only affect croquet clubs but thousands of clubs, societies and organisations who need a bank account to show sound governance whilst supporting the communities in which they operate. What should I do? Use our reserves to cover the fees? Change banks? Increase our membership fees to cover the extra costs? Take my complaint to the Financial Ombudsman? Are there any club treasurers out there who can give me advice and guidance? Alan Mundy, Treasurer, Belsay Hall Croquet Club
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
AN AGEING CROQUET PLAYER’S LAMENT by Dr Peter Honey Oh, I used to be able to see the balls clear and sharp, and know what colour they were. Now they are fuzzy things that vanish completely in shady areas and when I’m blinded by the sun. Chorus: Oh, it’s a shame, it just isn’t the same! Oh, I can recall a time when I remembered which balls were mine, which hoop to run next, and when to take a lift. Now I’m dependent on kind opponents (and alas there aren’t too many of those) giving me gentle reminders. Chorus: Oh, it’s a shame, it just isn’t the same! Oh, I used to hit a croquet ball straight and true. Now I can only hit‐in if my opponent makes an error and leaves me with a fortuitous one‐yard roquet. Oh, and speaking of one‐yard roquets: I sometimes get over excited and miss those too. Chorus: Oh, it’s a shame, it just isn’t the same! Oh, I used to be able to run narrow hoops with aplomb, sometimes even at tricky angles. Now I often blob hoops, consoling myself that the ball actually went through, but then rolled back again. Chorus: Oh, it’s a shame, it just isn’t the same! Oh, I can remember when a croquet court, measuring 35 by 28 yards, seemed a manageable space. Now, staggering from one baulk line to the other is a real challenge. I can also recall when bending to retrieve my ball, and bring it back onto the yard line, was effortless. Now I pretend to be distracted and wait for someone to do it for me.
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LETTERS CONTINUED
EFFICIENT HOOP CHECKING Having on occasion been a tournament referee and been expected to check the courts before the start of an event, I decided that I needed something to speed up the early morning hoop‐checking process. The gauge I came up with is most useful when Quadway hoops are being used, but it can be used on any hoop where the wire size doesn’t exceed 11/16” diameter. The reason it is most useful with Quadways is because it provides a quick check that all the hoops on a court have been adjusted to the same top setting. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to see the markings on the square carrots once hoops are set to the correct depth. Using the gauge again at half‐ball height will indicate how parallel and uniform the hoops on a court have been set. My first attempt at making the gauge was with a piece of 20‐gauge stainless steel which of course was strong and hard‐wearing but took a long time to produce by hand. Then I thought 3D printing might be the answer to producing a lightweight gauge that could easily fit inside a rule book. Not having a 3D printer myself, I found a fellow club member who was willing to have a go. His second attempt proved successful at getting the dimensional accuracy required, although as he explained there were difficulties in producing the uniform gradually increasing radius needed. The curved profile has a series of short flats which needed hand blending to obtain a smooth finish. This was easily rectified and the 2mm thick plastic gauge shown in the photograph has proved very useful.
Chorus: Oh, it’s a shame, it just isn’t the same! Oh, I can remember when judging angles and doing split‐rolls was a pleasure. Now the whole manoeuvre is in the lap of the gods. I can even recall when rushing a ball the length of the court gave me a real thrill, and even a time when cut‐rushes weren’t hazardous. Now, completely missing a one‐yard rush, let alone a cut‐rush, is a common occurrence. Chorus: Oh, it’s a shame, it just isn’t the same! Oh, I can recall when I used to resent being the out‐player, sitting for long periods watching my opponents setting up four‐ball breaks, doing triple‐peels and the like. Now I relish the long rest with nothing to worry about except, should I get another turn, how I’m going to get up out of this chair? Chorus: Oh, it’s a shame, it just isn’t the same! Oh, I can remember when pegging out was a joyous moment of triumph. Now the expression ‘pegging out’ has taken on a whole new meaning. Chorus: Oh, it’s a shame, it just isn’t the same!
The measurements were determined from a standard ball size of 3 and 5/8” and range from plus 1/64” at one end of the curved profile to plus 9/64” at the other. The datum point is taken from the centre of the semicircular recess when located against the hoop wire, as shown in the photo. Richard Brooks (SCCC) Acknowledgements and thanks to Jim Mander for the 3D printing and to Morgan Case for the photograph.
CLUB REPRESENTATION In 2024 I opted to downgrade my club subscription to a non‐playing member and I would like to know if I would have been eligible, if selected, to represent my club in inter‐club matches. Is there or should there be a rule which, for example, allows representation only if the club pays Levy for that player to Croquet England? The reason for this question is that I believe there is or at least has been some representation outside the spirit of the sport and I think there should be some general agreement on this matter. Edward Dymock Thank you for raising this issue. As a non‐playing member, you would not be eligible to represent your club in inter‐club matches. The first condition in the AC and GC conditions sets out the eligibility criteria for our inter‐club events: “These competitions are open only to Croquet England Affiliated clubs. The players must be Individual Associates of Croquet England, and playing members of the clubs they are representing.” There is no rule which restricts players to representing only their primary club (which is the club that pays levy for them to Croquet England), and indeed the second condition currently recognises that some people will be members of, and may represent, more than one club. It states: “An individual may play for the same or different clubs in different competitions during a season, but in any one competition may not play for more than one team.” Jonathan Powe, Tournaments Committee
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EXTRA STROKES I submitted an article to the August edition of the Croquet Gazette on Coaching GC Extra Strokes. I considered it to be an important topic because, although I know that not everyone will agree with me, I have come to the conclusion that Advantage GC is unlikely to last very long. There are various reasons for this opinion, but the main ones are that it is only appropriate when the players’ handicaps are reasonably similar, and unusable when they are not. This means that when AGC is appropriate, you may as well play level, otherwise stick to Extra Strokes GC. I think that the added tactical requirement of using your extra strokes efficiently or of learning to play against them adds a positive factor to the GC game. Those who argue against extra strokes often say that it makes the game too difficult for beginners to learn, but the same argument could be applied to handicap AC. Why not give the higher handicapper some hoops to start with because bisques are too complicated? Obviously this suggestion would be dismissed because the bisques are there to help the player create 4‐ball breaks. In Handicap GC the extra strokes are there to help the player to win hoops; just giving them the hoops is not the same. Another argument I have heard against Extra Strokes GC is that it’s biased towards the low handicappers so, when the question of converting to AGC was discussed in the South West Federation last year, I addressed the issue of bias with some analysis of the SWF league results. We have two GC Handicap leagues with different handicap limits. One has no minimum handicap and a maximum of 12, the other has a minimum of 8 and no maximum. I analysed the results for the years 2016 to 2022, (excluding 2020 when the leagues were not played). This gave me a total of 6,645 singles games, not including draws. LETTERS CONTINUED
Response to Extra Strokes: Following the SCF Advantage trial in 2021 a modified table of Starting Scores has been in use unchanged for three seasons. In addition to league play in most of the UK Federations Advantage has been adopted internationally and is now the preferred form of handicap play in England, Australia and New Zealand. The most convincing reason for this is its simplicity and immediate relevance to level play by changing only the starting score. Rule 20 (Extra strokes) requires three and a half pages to describe a very different game. Advantage tournament and league play worldwide is witness to a very usable game between players of different abilities. Should the need arise managers now have a simple, and above all, fair method of resolving timed handicap games. The latest 2024/25 version in response to feedback and experience has been agreed by GC Rules and forwarded to the WCF for approval and publication on its website. This new version has taken the opportunity to strengthen the algorithm by using two years’ of SCF Advantage results. Some 40% of such games (those with wider handicap differences) are affected by revised starting scores and, significantly, starting scores are now included for all games across the complete ‐6 to 20 handicap range. The latest documentation is always available on the WCF and CqE websites. The latter includes excellent additional teaching material developed by Ian Shore which should be essential reading for coaches and players unfamiliar with the game. Feedback is welcome via advantagegc@worldcroquet.org or by contacting me directly. Roy Tillcock
As these two graphs show, there is a fairly consistent bias of about 3% in favour of the low handicapper. If, therefore, coaching in the use of extra strokes was improved only slightly, it could be expected that this bias would be removed. Stephen Custance‐Baker
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A SPECIAL PRESENTATION FOR A SPECIAL PERSON
by Patricia Duke‐Cox and Beatrice McGlen
Ian Vincent is the Special Person who was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to croquet this year. Although it was announced in the 2024 New Year Honours that Ian was to become a Medallist of the Order of the British Empire, it took a while for the award to be made tangible. He was invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace on a very wet afternoon in May (the day before the then Prime Minister got soaked when announcing the election), but these medals are presented locally. He was offered a date in April, but had planned to be abroad on holiday, so the first available opportunity was in late September. The celebration began with Ian’s guests who joined him for lunch at a French restaurant in the city. This enabled our President, Patricia Duke‐Cox and our Chief Executive, Beatrice McGlen, both also members of the Nottingham Club, to meet his personal guests before the formal presentation. Along with three other recipients (two for services to local communities and one to the NHS), we all attended a ceremony at Nottingham’s Council House. On arrival we were welcomed and offered light refreshments. We had an opportunity to chat to the other recipients and their guests and were able to admire the splendid displays of silverware held at the Council House and then inspect the medals to be awarded to the four candidates.
Permission to take photographs was given but a professional photographer was also present and willing to take group photos, some of which we have added to this report. The medals were presented by the Lord‐Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronica Pickering, who was supported by her deputies, who read the citations, her administrator and a couple of military cadets, and the proceedings concluded with tea and cakes. It was a lovely ceremony and an honour to share Ian’s special moment.
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WATFORD (CASSIOBURY) CROQUET CLUB LAWN IRRIGATION PROJECT
£15,000 towards capital projects, which are enhanced by claiming Gift Aid. These donations, as well as the grant, enabled us to move ahead with the project, knowing that 66% of the projected costs were covered, leaving the Club with a healthy balance sheet upon completion. During the summer and Autumn of 2022, we began investigating the feasibility and options for an automatic irrigation system. We discovered that the local golf and bowls clubs were using boreholes instead of mains water, which would be the preferable option on environmental grounds and likely to be the cheaper way forward in the long term, despite the initial higher capital cost. Advice from several clubs, who already had sprinkler systems installed, was much appreciated. The next stage was to obtain written confirmation from both Affinity Water and the Environmental Agency, that they had no objections to the use of a borehole and the expected water consumption would not require an Extraction License. In June 2023 a hydrogeological survey was commissioned. The report was promising, indicating there was an ample supply of water at an expected depth of 20 to 25 meters. This gave us the confidence to invite tenders from a number of borehole contractors. A few months later we selected Smith & Webb, a local contractor. During this time, we had been talking to WBC and the Parks management team, about our plans. However, shortly before we intended to proceed, we were advised that the installation of an automatic irrigation system would be subject to formal planning permission from WBC, albeit it was on land owned by the council. In December 2023, we submitted an application for planning permission, which was in turn published by the Council. This led to some local residents making formal objections on the grounds that the pop‐up sprinklers would be noisy and that the trees could be potentially damaged by digging trenches for the pipework. As a consequence, the scheme had to be put before a full Council planning meeting for consideration. This meeting took place on 8th February, with both the Club and the objectors making a short presentation at the meeting. We were able to make the case that the Council itself installed the automatic system at the nearby Bowls Club in the park and no complaints were received regarding noise. At the meeting the Councilors were mindful to approve our scheme, however the Planning Officer, wanted a time restriction, to appease the local residents. Two days later, we received written planning approval, albeit with a couple of further stipulations. We had to provide a Tree Protection Plan and confirmation that there is adequate noise protection for the borehole pump located underground. Continued on page 16
by Kevin Currie Trustee Watford (Cassiobury) Croquet Club
For a number of years the Club had been considering the need to install a watering system to the 4 lawns located in Cassiobury Park, on land leased from Watford Borough Council (WBC). In 2022, the Trustees decided to embark on the scheme, having accumulated sufficient funds and with the prospect of fundraising to meet the projected cost of £36,000. By way of background, the Club was established in 1936, with two lawns, which are located close to the club pavilion. Lawns 3 & 4 were previously tennis courts and were levelled in 2017 with funds provided by WBC, as part of a lottery grant awarded to Cassiobury Park. In 2019, we became a registered Charity (CIO). The pavilion, which is leased from WBC, was built in 2021, has kitchen and toilet facilities. We currently have 68 members, playing both codes of croquet, ranging from beginners to players with considerable experience with UK rankings. One of our members is part of the England training squad. As a Club we have supported and hosted the various national competitions run by Croquet England and have been winners of the Murphy Shield in 2021, 2018, 2017 and 2013, the Mary Rose in 2017 and the Longman Cup in 2001. We are active participants of the EACF, entering numerous teams in East Anglian leagues. Four members of our Club sit on the EACF Committee. The main objective of the project was to improve the lawn quality in the summer months by making sure the lawns are adequately watered in order that patches of grass do not dry out and die, particularly along the northern boundaries of lawns 1 & 2, which are affected by large trees in the park. Ultimately, improving the quality of the lawns will allow the Club to support a higher level of Croquet England tournaments than we are currently able to do. Furthermore, we wish to increase the Club’s membership by improving the lawn quality and encourage a wider community involvement. At the outset of the project, two Trustees volunteered to investigate fundraising. Several nearby Croquet Clubs were contacted to ‘pick their brains’, on how they went about raising funds for their projects. Newport and Northampton were particularly helpful, as was Beatrice McGlen, who all freely shared their experiences and offered great advice. We approached Croquet England, through Jonathan Toye, our Federation Development Officer, who supported our application for a grant in February this year. This was considered and we were granted £5,000 towards the project. We also considered a Crowdfunding approach, which potentially could have included match funding from Sport England. Ultimately, we did not need to use Crowdfunding as, following an update to members in the January newsletter, two members kindly offered donations of
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WATFORD DEVELOPMENT CONTINUED
Accordingly, a Tree Protection Plan was developed, to satisfy the Parks Tree Manager and we also submitted evidence to demonstrate that the borehole pump is inaudible, however formal approval required a formal Discharge of Conditions application which takes a further 6 weeks to complete. We eventually received acceptance on 15th April and work could finally proceed. After several delays, Smith & Webb started the drilling operation on 30th May. The early progress was quite slow, due to the layers of gravel and flint below the top surface. The expected chalk strata was reached after 9 meters and finally the water table located at a depth of 14 meters, which was a great relief to the Trustees. This was consistent with the predicted hydrogeological survey and drilling continued to a depth of 45/50 meters, at which point a 5” diameter plastic pipe was inserted into the borehole and the manhole pit prepared. The water supply was tested and confirmed we have suitable flow rates and pressure to install the appropriate model of pump, two weeks after drilling started. At the beginning of July the contractors installed the borehole pump and at their recommendation a 100 liter pressure vessel within the pavilion, which would enable the Club to control the pressure to the sprinklers, thus avoiding any pressure surges. The next phase of the project was to lay a pipework ‘ring main’ around the four courts. r this, Simon Hatherell spent many hours designing the layout of the irrigation pipework and the sprinkler coverage to cover all parts of the courts. At this stage the Club decided on a DIY approach to reduce the costs. The appropriate amount of pipework, connectors and 16 Rainbird sprinkler heads were ordered and delivered. The only question was whether we hire in a trenching machine to dig the trenches ourselves, Ultimately, sense prevailed, and we opted to hire with an operator, who completed the work in one day on 10th July. With the help of volunteers from the club, the pipework was laid, joints tightened and connected to the sprinkler heads, which had their own pits dug separately. After Simon had wired up the heads, we were ready to connect and test the water flow and adjust the distribution to the lawns. In the last two weeks of July members have been backfilling the trenches and there remains an amount of spoil to be disposed of, at which time we will apply a mix of topsoil and grass seed. In the meantime, the automatic sprinkler system had been programmed to water the courts every evening for a minimum of one hour each and we are operational. Finally, a big thank you to Croquet England and East Anglia Croquet Federation for their generous grants, but also to Club members for their subscriptions, participation in Croquet England tournaments and those who made donations along with Gift Aid.
Experiences from this project ‐Keep members informed. ‐Register for Gift Aid if a CIO. Start talking to the local authorities at the earliest. Be prepared for long waits to get an answer. ‐Get to know your Planning Officer and be prepared for Planning surprises! ‐Make an allowance for contingencies and legal fees. ‐Talk to other clubs and take advice. ‐Definitely use an operative to dig the trenches.
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