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
www.croquetengland.org.uk | 8
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