Only 14 sleeps to Christmas therefore only a week longer to New Year!
I’m not wishing the days away, but please would you let me know if you intend to come to our New Year’s Day get together. No croquet I’m afraid, but there will be mulled wine and nibbles, and a quiz. 1.00 – 3.00.
Visitors are welcome.
I also need numbers for the catering at our planning meeting at 7.00 pm on Friday, 10 January, at Westminster Park Community Centre. We have a delicious curry supper – only costing you £5 – and chat and share ideas about the upcoming season. Come and have your say and contribute to the running of your club. Please let me know if you can come.
Chester Croquet Club held its annual end of season dinner and presentation evening at Chez Jules on Tuesday, 19 November, to celebrate successes of the season. About fifty members defied the early winter snow and turned out on a chilly evening to attend the event.
For the second year in succession Chester achieved a series of wins against clubs across the country to reach the final of the national Murphy Inter-Club competition for golf croquet but lost to Sussex County in the final match at Wrest Park. At a regional level, Chester came first in the NW Federation Advanced B-Level association croquet league and second in the Level Play golf croquet league. In the more local North Wales and Cheshire competition for the Snowdonia Cup, Chester’s short lawn and golf handicap teams emerged as overall winner. At the annual Festival of Croquet at Southport attended by all clubs in the north west, Chester fielded three teams, AC handicap, GC handicap and GC level play, and succeeded in coming second in the GC handicap event.
As always, the club held a wide variety of internal club competitions during the year for all levels of association croquet and golf croquet. The club’s chair, Tom Grievson, commended all those who had taken part and presented trophies to the winning players.
Left to right, Robin Tasker receiving the NW Federation Advanced B-Level trophy and Jude Wise receiving the Snowdonia Cup on behalf of their teams, and Richard Smith receiving the club’s Fletton Trophy for advanced association croquetLeft to right, Jayne Taylor winner of the club’s short lawn open competion, Helen Brophy winner of the Hasting Wang Short Lawn Trophy, and Doreen Curtiss receiving the Mollie McBride RAT Trophy for golf croquet played throughout the seasonSue Kendall receiving the Christine Long Trophy for the end of season golf croquet competition, Mel Hagan receiving the new Level Play C-Level award, and Bob Thompson receiving this year’s Newbies award also for golf croquet. Jude Wise won the Level Play B-Level award and is shown above receiving the Snowdonia Cup.Sarah Clements, left, receiving the most improved player award for association croquet and Gail Thomas, right, receiving the most improved player award for golf croquet which she shares with David Johnson who was unable to attend
Among individual successes during the year, Sarah Clements won the Pendle B Level Golf Croquet Tournament at Pendle on Saturday, 11 May, and qualified for a Croquet England Golf Croquet Silver Merit Award. Then later in the season she was runner-up in the All England Golf Croquet A level competition for the Maggie Cowman trophy hosted by Chester over the weekend of 3-4 August.
Edward Baskerville and Rick Davies achieved third and fourth place in the Chester B Level Golf Croquet Tournament held for the first time on Saturday, 1 June.
Roger Brooks won the Bowdon Short Croquet Trophy at the Bowdon short lawn open competition over Wednesday and Thursday, 24-25 July.
Richard Smith won the Claret Jug for the second year running at Shrewsbury over two days in September severely disrupted by rain in an advanced association croquet competition for the eight highest ranked players from the club. Also in September he won the Plate event in the Welsh Croquet Championships.
The dinner provided another enjoyable opportunity to recognise all these achievements during another successful year. A full list of results can be found in the Members only area.
The Council has reaffirmed their decision to close all ‘fine turf’ facilities under their control to facilitate a ‘robust winter maintenance programme’ and allow time for the lawns to recover. So, sadly, all four lawns will remain closed until the end of March next year. Our winter gloom may however be slightly cheered by the prospect of the first class lawns which we shall be using next season.
Tom Grievson
Update 3 November 2024
The lawns were closed to enable a significant autumn maintenance programme, which is now complete. Since then the council has said that the lawns should remain closed until the spring to allow them to ‘recover and rest’. We have replied that the top dressing is now absorbed, the lawns are in good condition and that our usual practice has been to play until the end of the year. We have assured them that we will always have proper regard for the weather and use the lawns far more lightly in the autumn months. We have asked that they review their position so as to allow play to continue as in past years.
I know this is unwelcome news but you can be assured that we will continue to seek a favourable resolution, but in the meantime all four lawns remain closed until further notice.
On Sunday, 6 October, Chester played away against Tattenhall in the club’s final match in this year’s Snowdon Cup competition. This is a local regional inter-club competition for handicap golf croquet and short lawn association croquet between four Cheshire and North Wales clubs – Chester, Tattenhall, Craig-y-Don and Llanfairfechan. It started in 2019 with the aim of encouraging newcomers and less experienced players to take part in team events but has become increasingly competitive since then.
The Chester team for this final short lawn match against Tattenhall was Andy Wilson-Chalon, Val Sanders and Liz Rowley. Having beaten Llafairfechan and Craig-y-Don in previous short lawn matches, Chester unfortunately narrowly lost the match 4 – 5.
However, on the following day, Tattenhall beat Llanfairfechan. That coupled with Chester winning two of the three handicap golf croquet matches earlier in the season meant that Chester emerged at this year’s overall winner of the Snowdon Cup after previously winning it in 2023. Congratulations to Chester!
There are some members of our local community who are really enjoying our unseasonably wet weather. They have ventured on to the croquet lawns for the first time this year and are enjoying the lush green turf. They will find it is an active club with the Newbies end of season competition in full swing and they will undoubtedly be attracting a lot of interest from the club’s frequent visitors of seagulls, magpies and blackbirds.
Photographs from Sally Slater who always welcomes new members and visitors
Later that morning on Saturday, 28 September, some hardy members from the beginners group turned up to play in the new members open competition .
The rain held off and the lawns were luckily playable after such a lot of rain. The games were hard fought and the end result was decided by one hoop. The winner was Bob Thompson.
Participants in this year’s open golf croquet competition for new members… and the winner Bob Thompson receiving his trophy from competition organiser Sally Slater
On the same day a Chester team of Nigel Worthington, Andy Wilson-Chalon and Val Sanders played away against Craig-y-Don in the Snowdonia Cup short lawn league. Following an earlier 6 – 3 win against Llanfairfechan the team achieved another 6 – 3 win this time. This result leaves just one further match against Tattenhall which will be played on Sunday, 6 October, at Tattenhall.
We have an amazing 130 members in our croquet club – the friendliest in the North West!
This does mean though that you can’t really know everyone and won’t have played everyone this season. So come along to our end of season presentation evening and meet other members, put names to faces and plan games for next year!
It is a lovely social event to finish our season. Sit where you like and with whom you like in the pleasant upstairs at Chez Jules. Choose what you want to eat and drink, have a go at a quiz if you would like to and applaud all our winners and strivers of the season.
There are trophies for all the competitions played and also for the most improved players. This could be you!
The date is Tuesday, 19 November, at 6.30 pm. It’s not a late finish and there is parking nearby at Delamere Street car park next to the Fountains building. Evening rate after 6.00 pm is £4.
Please let me know if you can come so I can let the restaurant have numbers. You don’t need to contact me again if you have already done so.
Although we still have a few weeks of the season to run (hopefully), I am sending out this date for your diary.
We are holding our social and presentation end of season evening at Chez Jules, Northgate Street, Chester on Tuesday, 19 November, at 6.30 pm.
For those who haven’t been before it is a very convivial evening with good food, our own bar, presentation of trophies and a quiz. A great end to the season.
Unfortunately due to numbers restrictions we cannot invite partners, but hope that you will come along and sit with friends.
In order to get an idea of numbers please let me know if you would like to come.
Chester Croquet Club played host to 51 young guides and rangers from the 1st Huntingdon troup on a sunny Tuesday evening, 10 September. The youngsters came for a fun game of croquet and after a brief introduction to the sport, enthusiastically joined in organised games with their friends. Many members of the club helped the girls play croquet during the session and afterwards with drinks and snacks. The evening was enjoyed by all.
On Saturday, 14 September, the Bowdon Blanks short lawn team visited Chester for their North West Federation league match. Bowdon fielded a very strong team of low handicap players, but the Chester team of Derek Bell-Jones, Jayne Taylor, Sally Slater and Andy Wilson-Chalon fought hard to give the visitors a good match. At lunch Bowdon were leading 5-3, but ran away with the match in the afternoon and the final score was 11-5. The weather was glorious and the match was played in very good humour.
A few days later on Tuesday, 17 September, a Chester team of Sally Slater (captain), Sarah Clements, Jayne Taylor and Helen Brophy travelled to Bowdon to play their other short lawn team, the Bowdon Bullets.
This turned out to be an equally challenging match, though at lunch all was square with 4 games each. In the afternoon the Bullets played very well and despite some very close games, including two going to a golden hoop, the final result was another win for Bowdon 11-5.
In the late summer sunshine after the short lawn match against Bowdon Bullets
In another short lawn match on Wednesday, 18 September, Chester played away against Llanfairfechan, this being our first match in the Snowdonia Cup this year.
On a wonderful sunny day by the sea Chester’s team of Nigel Worthington, Andy Wilson-Chalon and Liz Rowley triumphed 6-3. We are now looking forward to our next match against Craig-y -Don on Saturday, 28 September.
The next day, Thursday, 19 September, saw the last match of the season for Chester Centurions in the North West Federation level play golf croquet league and the long awaited arrival of summer – sunshine all day in the beautiful Crake Valley. It was a key game for both sides, where a win for either would secure second place in the league, but a loss would mean fourth place.
The Chester team of Mark Lloyd, John Hampson and David Boyd set off strongly winning their first round of three games and managed to maintain that lead throughout the day, despite some strong push backs from David Cornes, Neil Adams and Steve Skelton of Crake Valley throughout the day.
All the games were close and so we didn’t finish playing until after 5:30 pm, but the final result was Chester Centurions 11, Crake Valley 7. And then we stayed another half an hour as Crake treated us to a celebratory beer (non-alcoholic, of course), before a long drive home.
Thanks to Crake for a very pleasant and hospitable end to the league season.
Beautiful scenery, late summer sunshine, long shadows and a rewarding win for Chester Centurions at Crake Valley
This win for Chester results in the club achieving second place behind Bowdon Bombers in this year’s North West Federation level play golf croquet league.
In a separate match not involving Chester, Bowdon lost 1 – 4 to Bury in the North West Federation Advanced B Level association croquet league. This outcome means that Chester has emerged as overall winner in this league ahead of Crake Valley in second place and Bowdon Angels in third place.
Chester can therefore celebrate one victory and one second place in this year’s league matches. Hurrah!
Christine Long Trophy on Saturday, 21 September 2024
There is one place left to take part in this year’s competition for the Christine Long Trophy. This is a golf croquet tournament for players with a handicap of 5 (reduced from 6) or greater. It is an ideal for first competition for players new to the sport as well as experienced “Croqueters”. It will be played under the Advantage Handicap System. Just bring your handicap cards.
This is an all day event. The morning will consist of 4 groups of 4 playing a round Robin (3 games each). After lunch, the top 2 in each group will play Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and Final. Total of 6 games to win the trophy but everyone will have a minimum of 4 games. 3rd and 4th in each group will play in a plate in the same format.
As last year’s winner I can tell you that it is a fun day where the handicap system gives everyone a chance.
If you would like to be our final entrant please e-mail me directly.
I would be happy to answer any of your questions and look forward to seeing you all on the day.
For those who have already entered, details of arrangements for the day will be sent next week.
Entries are invited for this year’s Christine Long Trophy. This is a Golf Croquet tournament for players with a handicap of 6 or greater. It is an ideal for first competition for players new to the sport as well as experienced “Croqueters”.
This is an all day event, the exact format of which is determined by the number of entrants. However, as an example, in a previous year there were 12 players, split into 2 groups of 6 for a round robin stage with semi finals and final.
As last year’s winner I can tell you that it is a fun day where the handicap system gives everyone a chance.
If you would like to enter please sign your name and e-mail address in the clubhouse (a list will be up in the next few days) or e-mail me directly. I would be happy to answer any of your questions and look forward to seeing you all on the day.
The inaugural B-Level and C-Level Chester Cup internal club golf croquet tournaments were both played on Friday, 13 September, at Chester. Eight Chester members in each tournament competed over all four lawns for the trophies on a dry and often sunny day. All competitors played three games in the morning session of all-play-all in blocks of four. In the afternoon knock-out all the morning leaders were eventually defeated in some exciting play. The B-Level was won by Jude Wise with Robin Tasker as runner-up. The C-Level winner was Mel Hagen with Rhia Taylor as runner-up.
Competitors in Chester’s inaugural B-Level and C-Level golf croquet tournaments on Friday, 13 SeptemberThe winner, Jude Wise, and runner-up, Robin Tasker, in the B-Level tournament with club chairman and competition organiser, Tom GrievsonThe winner, Mel Hagan, and runner-up, Rhia Taylor, in the C-Level tournament
Chester was pleased to host again the NW Federation Millennium association croquet handicap tournament over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, 7-8 September.
The 2024 tournament was won by Phil Snowden from Fylde with a perfect return of five wins from his five matches which also resulted in his handicap being reduced from 8 to 7. In winning he demonstrated his skills in both lovely warm sunshine on the Saturday and driving rain on the Sunday. While he may indeed have had wet feet by the end – didn’t we all – his competitive spirit was not dampened by the experience.
There were eight entrants – from Fylde, Bowdon, Southport and Chester – to this tournament which was played as a five round Swiss format with 22-point, 2.5 hour time-limited games. The first round was pre-drawn and by chance resulted in some intra-club games: from Chester, Sarah Clements just prevailed against Andy Wilson-Chalon; from Bowdon, Robert Cutts-Watson had a slightly easier time against John Bagnall; and from Southport, Peter Williams edged past David Venables in a low scoring game. In the remaining game of the round Phil Snowden began his remorseless progress by beating David Beddy from Bowdon.
Through the rest of Saturday the players were fortified with tea and coffee, cake and scones such that at the end of the day while Phil was out front, he was closely followed by David B, Robert and Peter each with two wins. And so all to play for on the Sunday.
Sunday was dank and damp with conditions steadily deteriorating into heavy, steady rain where the manager was pleased to be wearing full waterproofs with an umbrella and the opportunity to retreat to the pavilion when necessary. And it seemed to be necessary for much of the time.
The players meanwhile continued; the fourth round results meant that only two players could win the event and if Phil gained 11 hoops even in defeat in the fifth round he would be the 2024 champion. In the event and on adjacent rain-sodden lawns Phil reached the 11 hoop mark at precisely the time Robert was defeated and thus Phil became the 2024 Millennium association croquet handicap champion.
Many thanks are due to all the players for their perseverance in trying conditions; for the sporting approach to their games; and for their determination to enjoy themselves. Well, that’s what they told me. Thanks are also due to Chester members for helping in setting out the courts and for providing refreshment across the weekend.
Robin Tasker
Participants in the 2024 Millennium AC handicap tournament taking shelter in the clubhouse, left to right: David Venables. Robert Cutts-Watson, Peter Williams, the winner Phil Snowden with the Millennium trophy, David Beddy, Sarah Clements, Andy Chalon-Wilson and John Bagnall
