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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