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We are sad to report the death of John Dawson on 8 July 2023 a few weeks before his 78th birthday.

He was one of probably quite a large cohort of people who took up croquet after retiring having been an active sportsman in his earlier years.

He joined Chester Croquet Club in 2002, was elected to the committee in 2004 and served as secretary from November 2013 until stepping down due to ill health in 2022.

While secretary of Chester Croquet Club he was elected by the North West Federation as the regional representative on the CA Council in November 2016 becoming Chairman of the Publishing Committee and a member of the Marketing and Tournament Committees in 2017. He became Chairman of the CA Management Committee in 2018 and was appointed Vice-Chairman of the CA Council in May 2019. In these roles he was deeply involved in the CA’s working groups on organisation and governance which resulted in the recent reorganisation and current changes in charitable legal status. He led the CA’s participation in the very successful CountryFile Live events at Blenheim in 2018 and Castle Howard in 2019. More recently during 2020 and 2021 he took a leading role in developing and promulgating the CA’s policies on child safeguarding. After five very busy years, he relinquished his role as NW Federation representative in November 2021.

In between all these activities John took part in many NW Federation league matches and competitions, inter-counties competitions and national tournaments for association croquet and succeeded in reducing his AC handicap to 3.

He also enjoyed international croquet hospitality and played casual games at several Melbourne clubs during his many visits to Australia. In 2020 he enjoyed watching an English croquet team at a tournament at Cairnlea, Victoria.

John was born in Newcastle under Lyme in 1945, attended a local grammar school, graduated in classics at Cambridge and went on to take a post graduate course at Oxford. After graduation he joined ICI and spent the whole of his career in personnel management at Billingham, Severnside, Northern Ireland and in Hong Kong and latterly at Runcorn when he and his family came to live in Chester. Following diagnosis of prostate cancer he took early retirement in 2001 but treatment over 20 years proved remarkably effective before fading over the past eighteen months.

Throughout his retirement he was continually involved in a wide range of activities. He served as a JP for several years and with his wife, Ann, he was a part-time assistant warden at Youth Holiday Association hostels where he enjoyed leading country walks. In addition to croquet, he was a keen bridge player and bird watcher, also a frequent concert and theatre goer, and continued to be a keen follower of cricket which was his earlier sport. He was well travelled, always curious and well informed, and always ready to debate anything with anybody.

His wife, Ann, died in 2012, and they had two daughters, Alice a solicitor in London who is married with two sons, and Clare in Melbourne, Australia, also married with two sons.

Chester Croquet Club is sad to lose such a keen and active member who will be remembered widely for his energy, enthusiasm and good humour. And our sympathies go to all his family and friends.

A short mention of John Dawson’s death appeared in the obituary section of The Times on Saturday, 22 July. The Latin phrase ‘Clarior e tenebris’ – ‘More brightly from out of darkness’ or ‘Brighter from obscurity’ – is the motto of his old school.

Funeral arrangements

10.40 am Friday, 28 July 2023
Blacon Crematorium, Blacon Avenue, Chester CH1 5BB
and afterwards at John Dawson’s house
The Cottage, 2 Westminster Avenue, Chester CH4 8JB

To assist with catering, please notify Robin Tasker by Sunday, 23 July,
if you plan to attend the funeral and the gathering afterwards.

Chester’s association croquet team were in action on home turf on Wednesday, 5 July, against a much stronger team from Nottingham with both clubs competing for a place in the semi-final of the national inter-club advanced competition for the Mary Rose trophy. Chester was represented by David Boyd (captain), Elmyr Hughes, Mark Lloyd and Brian Walton. The format was for level play without the benefit of handicap differences so, despite some advantage from local knowledge of the lawns, it was bound be a challenging day for Chester with their combined handicaps totalling 12.5 compared with Nottingham’s much lower total of 4.

Following the morning session of a doubles and two singles games, Nottingham gained a lead of 2 games to 1 by winning the two singles games, so there was still everything to play for in the four afternoon singles games. As the afternoon results came in, Nottingham managed to maintain their lead to the end of the match with the final score of Nottingham 4 Chester 3 with both sides winning two singles games. A defeat for Chester but no disgrace either as it really was a ‘knife-edge’ result with one hoop point difference out of 26 in one of the morning singles results which, if reversed, would have given Chester the match victory. There was no usual time limit to the games and play eventually finished after 8.00 pm leaving the Nottingham team with a late drive back home.

Then on Thursday, 6 July, Chester played a short lawn match against Fylde which proved to be an honourable draw. Each round of 4 games ended in a 2 all draw, with the final score being Chester 8 – Fylde 8. There were some nail biting finishes as the Chester team of Sally Slater (captain), Nigel Worthington, Val Sanders and Robert Jones faced three higher handicapped players with the very last game of the match going to a golden hoop. The expected rain stayed off so the lawns were dry and fast and a lovely day was had by all.

On the following Sunday, 9 July, the Chester Senators team got off to a good start against a visiting Llanfairfechan Dragons team in a handicap golf croquet match at Westminster Park. Chester’s captain, Edward Baskerville, who won all of his singles games, was supported by Jill Foley, Mel Hagen and Elaine Smith and the team soon opened a 5 to 1 lead in the warm , humid weather. The visiting team fought back to even the score but the Chester team re-established its pace to pull away to lead 11 games to 6. With the final game at five hoops each, a darkening sky suddenly thundered the arrival of rain. The players ran for cover and for tea and declared that game a draw. The final result was Chester Senators 11, Llanfairfechan Dragons 6 and 1 draw.

It was another busy week for Chester Croquet Club with two national competitions, a mid week match and a social event at Westminster Park.

On Thursday, 29 June, a Bowdon team came to play at Chester in the midweek association croquet handicap league. The Chester team was Brian Walton (captain), Helen Brophy, Sally Slater and Paul Watson. It was a sunny but cool morning and the lawns were in good condition after some recent rain, and soon dried with the breeze and sun as the day progressed.

The morning doubles match was a closely fought battle with Chester just failing to get the final hoop after a break of 5 hoops to win the game, leaving Bowdon with an easy hit in to take the match with the last shot. Honours were shared in the two single games, both of which provided a considerable bisque advantage to our opponents, leaving Chester with a 1- 2 deficit at lunch. In the afternoon two games each were won, with Sally Slater just winning her game on the golden hoop, so the final score was Bowdon 4 Chester 3.

Then on Saturday, 1 July, Chester Croquet Club attended the Westminster Park Residents’ Association Coronation Picnic and Fun Day. The extremely well organised event was held at Westminster Park Community Centre and Belgrave School and attracted many residents and visitors.

Chester Croquet Club members set up a croquet lawn that was a quarter of the normal competition size. Participants, both adult and junior, had to hit a ball around six hoops with the winners being those who scored the least number of shots.

Volunteers from the club Rhia, Benita, Jill, Doreen, Dave and Sarah accompanied the competitors and ensured there was a correct count of shots. The volunteers were busy all afternoon as over 60 rounds were played with participants being aged 3 to senior!

The competition was fierce with Chester Croquet Club players also having a go. In the end the winners played great rounds and Erin won the junior competition with 14 hoops in total and Jane the senior competition with 13 hoops in total. Well done to both participants as they were fantastic scores.

There were mixed fortunes for the teams competing in two national inter- club competitions during the same weekend.

A short lawn association croquet team of Derek Bell-Jones, Nigel Worthington, John Hampson and Robert Jones travelled to York on Saurday, 1 July, for their second round tie. Despite Robert Jones winning all three of his games and some very close matches, the final score was 7-4 to York.

On the follwing day, Sunday, 2 July, in the golf level play inter- club competition held at Chester against Bowdon, the team of Tom Grievson (captain), David Boyd, Mark Lloyd and John Hampson were facing a much stronger Bowdon team when looking at the respective handicaps. However, the Chester team played extremely well and won 4-3. Chester now go on to play Hurlingham in the semi-final.

Llanfairfechan hosted Chester at the first Snowdonia Cup golf handicap match on Friday, 16 June. The weather was lovely, sunny and warm with slight cloud at times but much more comfortable than in previous days during the heatwave of the last week!

Jim Hughes enjoyed his debut and was a great asset to the team along with Rick Davies, Kerry Dadson and Jude Wise (Captain). The Llanfairfechan lawns were rather challenging, undulating in parts with longer grass than Chester so slower, but all played well and Chester took the lead by 5-3 at lunch time.

Chester was in the lead 8-7 when everyone had completed their games except Kerry, so it was a nail biting wait for the final result, but Kerry excelled by winning all of his games resulting in the final score of Chester 9 and Llanfairfechan 7.

After beating Southport 4 – 3 in the first round of the national Longman Cup association croquet handicap competition on 19 May, Chester played away against Fylde in the second round on Saturday, 17 June. The Chester team for this match was David Boyd (captain), Helen Brophy, David Guyton and Brian Walton. Under a grey sky and adjusting to rather variable lawn conditions, they found themselves up against stiff competition from Fylde and by lunchtime were down 0 – 3 having lost the doubles game and two singles games in the morning. To retrieve the match, Chester needed to win all four of the singles games in the afternoon. However, it was not to be and Chester succeeded in winning only one when David Guyton beat Fylde’s lowest handicap player. The final result was a 6 – 1 win for Fylde. On losing matches at Chester Fylde have been known to question the handicaps of some Chester players and a reciprocal sentiment might have been felt on this occasion. Nevertheless, the games were played in good spirit and Fylde were generous in providing lunch with strawberries and ice cream followed by an iced lolly at the end of the afternoon.

On the following day, Sunday, 18 June, the club held one of its monthly social fundays for members and friends. After the blazing sun and high temperatures earlier in the week, the cloudier sky and gentle breeze provided ideal conditions for light refreshments and a few friendly rounds of croquet.

A busy week of croquet competition began with a Murphy Shield level play golf croquet match against Leicester at home on Tuesday, 6 June. Chester had earlier gained a walk-over win against Durham to get into the second round match of this national competition. The Leicester team arrived after a fairly long, arduous journey, but soon adapted to the vagaries of the sloping lawns and challenged the Chester team of Tom Grievson (captain), John Hampson, Sally Slater and Brian Lussey throughout the seven rubbers.

A very closely contested doubles game, which went to three golden hoops, saw Chester leading 3-0 at lunch. Another two rubbers were comfortably won in the afternoon and one game was drawn, giving a final score of 5-1 to Chester, who go on to meet Branston, Lincolnshire, on a neutral ground in the next round.

The following Thursday, 8 June, saw Chester’s two level play golf croquet teams in action. The Centurions played Bury away and the Chariots played Southport at home. The Chariots had a good day’s play even though it was a bit hot in the afternoon. Games were closely fought, the final score being Southport 11 and Chester 7. Meanwhile, at Bury the Centurions team of Tom Grievson (captain), Rick Davies and Mark Lloyd won convincingly by 16 games to 2.

Then, on Saturday, 10 June, Chester Senators played handicap golf croquet against the Llanfairfechan Pioneers at home. A gazebo was erected to provide shade from the expected very hot and sultry day and Chester’s strong team got off to a very good start by winning all but one of the first eight games. Chester’s Rick Davies and Ian Shaw continued with their winning ways and both ended the day with clean sheets and handicap rewards. Jude Wise and Sandy Grievson also had a good day with each losing only one of their games during the day. The final score was Chester 15 and Llanfairfechan 3.

Next, on Sunday, 11 June, Chester Tribunes travelled to Llanfairfechan to play their Dragons handicap golf croquet team. The weather started sunny although there was a sea fret which masked the sea views along the coast and the much anticipated sight of Puffin Island. Chester dominated the doubles with David Johnson (captain) and Brian Lussey winning 7 hoops to 4, and Laurence Cole and Sarah Clements also winning their doubles game 7 hoops to 4. Play then turned to the singles games as the Avanti trains rattled along the adjacent rail track. Special mention goes to Laurence Cole for winning three of his four singles games for Chester, and congratulations go to the Llanfairfechan Dragons team for winning the match overall, 12 games to 6.

On Sunday, 4  June, Bury Caesars arrived at Chester on another gloriously sunny day to play in a weekend North West Federation league match for handicap association croquet. Robin Tasker captained the Chester side with Sally Slater, Helen Brophy and David Boyd playing.

Both singles games were won in the morning but the doubles game was lost in a low scoring game, giving Chester a narrow lead of 2 – 1 by lunchtime.

After refreshment and rehydration, Chester managed to squeeze ahead in the four singles games in the afternoon winning 3 – 1 although Helen Brophy and and Robin Tasker had to work hard to dig out their wins while Sally Slater pegged out for the second time in the day.

The final result was a 5 -2 win for Chester giving the club a winning start to the weekend association croquet handicap season. But if the dry, sunny weather holds for much longer, lawn conditions will become much, much more erratic and exciting!

Wednesday, 24 May, was a lovely day for two NW Federation level play golf croquet league matches.

The first was between Chester Chariots and Bury, which was thoroughly enjoyed by both teams. At lunch time the Chester team was just in front by 5 games to 4, but clearly found fresh resources after lunch, winning seven of the nine games in the afternoon, giving a final result of 12 – 6. The team of Rick Davies (captain), Chris Thomas and Kerry Dadson, playing in his first level play league match, can be justly proud of their victory against a strong Bury side.

Away at Southport on the same day, the Chester Centurions team of Tom Grievson, Mark Lloyd and Sally Slater also had a successful day, winning 11 games to 7. Mark Lloyd was the star player, winning 5 of his 6 games.

Then on Saturday, 27 May, the club fielded a team against Bury in the NW Federation Advanced B Level league. Representing Chester were  Brian Walton (captain), Elmyr Hughes and David Boyd. The team arrived at Bury   on a glorious sunny morning to find a recently cut lawn in good condition. It was a little damp in the shaded areas but with the sunshine promised, we were sure it would soon dry and became fast and challenging, which proved to be true, with the added fun of the hoops appearing to get shrink as the day progressed.

The morning doubles match featured several full lawn roquets but making breaks proved more difficult. Paul Kenworthy, captain of the Bury team,  managed a couple of good breaks to take his ball around to peg and then assisted Phil Nuttall in getting his ball to a position to take the game as time expired. Meanwhile in the singles, Elmyr Hughes of Chester won a closely fought game against Ged Smolskas by a narrow margin with some excellent precision play.

Just prior to lunch the teams were rewarded with a fly past by the RAF Memorial Flight, right over the lawns, comprising a Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane, which stopped play for a few moments but well worth it.

In the afternoon in increasingly warmer conditions, Elmyr continued his good form with victory over Paul, David Boyd had to contend with Ged, who was keen to recover from his morning loss and with some good play and fortune was able to stop David getting momentum in the game and he eventually pegged out, Brian Walton overcame Phil by a narrow margin in a closely fought game with minimal breaks and plenty of hoop blobs.

The final result was a hard fought 3 – 2 win for Chester with many thanks to Bury for their hospitality, good weather and air display.

Finally, on Sunday, 28 May, the short lawn league was in contention when Chester played away at Bowdon. It was a mainly sunny day and the Chester team of Derek Bell-Jones (captain), Sally Slater, Helen Brophy and Nigel Worthington made a decisive start, winning 6 games out of 8 in the morning. The games after lunch were much more hotly contested with two going to the golden hoop and it was neck and neck until the final two games which Chester won, giving the final score of 9-7.

Overall, a good week for Chester with four wins in three leagues over five days.

It may not yet be the warmest and driest summer but lawn watering has begun! After the council repaired and upgraded the main pumping system from the pond on the golf course in Westminster Park, a hardy group of volunteers wheeled out the hose and sprinkler on Saturday evening, 27 May. And, after five years of recurrent problems and parched lawns, it worked!

Sixteen ladies from the Chester Trefoil Guild came to the club on a sunny  evening on Thursday, 25 May, to have a fun evening of croquet. Volunteer members Paul Taylor, Chris Slater, Jill Foley and Sally Slater took them through their paces.

The group first learned a little about the history of croquet and the game, then were shown how to hold and swing a mallet and hit balls and run hoops, before ending the session with a game of golf croquet.

The evening finished with refreshments in the pavilion. The ladies were very appreciative of their introduction to croquet and really enjoyed it.

 

 

Having won the national knockout competition for the Secretary’s Shield trophy in 2022, Chester’s association croquet team was automatically given the opportunity to compete for the trophy again for the 2023 season with Sheffield being drawn as the opponent in the first round. Although a ‘home’ match for Sheffield, it was agreed to play at the neutral ground of Bury on Sunday, 21 May.

The morning session, of a doubles and two singles games did not go well for the Chester team of Richard Smith, Mark Lloyd, David Boyd (captain) and Brian Walton, as Sheffield won all three of these games to take a commanding 3 – 0 lead by lunchtime. So, with the four singles games to be played in the afternoon, Chester still had a chance to reverse the score. However,  the relative handicaps of the two teams meant that Chester were giving away 66 extra shots during the day. This proved too challenging a task and enabled Sheffield to add three more games to their tally, resulting in a final match score of Sheffield 6 v Chester 1, thus denying Chester the opportunity to have their name on the trophy for two successive years.

Thanks to Bury for hosting the match.