updated 11 April, 2003
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Plymouth Croquet Club |
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| Recently the clocks have gone back one hour which suggests that Winter is here. The gales over the week-end were certainly a reminder of things to come. It is time to draw the curtains, sit back and reminisce about the long hot Summer days spent on the croquet lawn. SittiRg there and thinking, “This is the life for me!!” Your opponent is on the lawn making hoop after hoop and you shout "Well done! Good shot!" You think, “Why can’t his/her leg fall off!" It’s 10.45 a.m. “Might as well eat my lunch”. There were certainly some wonderful days at the club with superb weather. All of the tournaments were blessed with sunshine this season. Pegging Out PartyThe gentlemen prepared a wonderful tea for the ladies on Sunday 20 October, 2002. There was so much to eat and so many wonderful goodies to choose from. We were spoilt for choice. On behalf of the ladies may I say a very big, “Thank You!” to the gentlemen who provided a scrumptious tea. Tenure at Hartley ParkWe can be reasonably sure that Croquet will con-tinue to be played at Hartley Park for the next five years at least. |
Extension to the Clubhouse.John Shepherd (Chairman) outlined to the thirty one members present at the short-meeting the need for an extension to the existing club-house. Extra space is now needed for the storage of tools, fertilizer, line whitener, croquet equipment and many other bits and pieces. This new storage space would leave more room in the club house for social events making the space more environmentally pleasant. The new structure would be ap-proximately 12ft. x 811. and positioned be-hind the existing building. The thirty one members present voted unanimously in favour of the new extension. It was pro-posed from the floor that the committee be allowed to spend up to £2,500 on this venture. These proposals will have to be agreed by both South West Water and Plymouth City Council. Planning permission will have to be applied for from P.C.C.. When the plans have been agreed by both S.W.W. and P.C.C., the committee expects the work will be undertaken during the winter months. John hopes to keep members in-formed as to what progress is being made during the closed months. These updates will be announced at the various coffee mornings. |
Observations - By Gerry BarkerAlthough I’ve had to withdraw from playing in any games or tournaments this year, I have enjoyed being present as a spectator and having a wander to explore the vicinity. At Budleigh Salterton, after watching Plymouth team in the morning, I visited the village. A sign stated that a fine of £100 would be levied on anyone removing anything from the beach. The picturesque main street had a plaque on one of the houses to show where the artist who painted, “The Boyhood of Raleigh,” was born. Equally interesting was the tournament at Poole where Marjorie and I had the added pleasure of the company of John and Chris Shepherd. Just being in the company of other croquet players gave further enjoyment to my day as a looker-on. At Cheltenham I listened to Hans from South Africa. He was a very likeable character who travelled when he could to Great Britain to play in various tournaments. He said that because of the poor exchange rate he had to sell matches on the street corner. However, Marjorie and I never saw him during our evening walks around Cheltenham where the centre was a blaze of colour from the variety of flowers. Listening to his far-fetched stories, during a torrential outburst of rain, I noticed that Marjorie and her opponent had to abandon their game. The position of the balls had to be measured so that the game could be finished on another lawn that had not been flooded. |
Seen in the National PressSo many dreams are over. Tim Henman crashes out. The World Cup goes to Brazil. France has won the grand slam in the Six Nations rugby. Anyone for croquet? Bernard WebsterSadly Bernard died quite suddenly on his boat in France very early on in the season. He will be sadly missed by many of the members at the club who knew him. He was a member of the club for many years and played a good game of croquet. In more recent years he was not seen very often due to ill health but be had hoped to return this year as a social member. Un-fortunately events overtook his plans for croquet. Several members attended his funeral and afterwards went to the Royal Western Yacht Club for refreshments. |
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY - Winter Morning Social Events
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Thank you to all of those who so kindly volunteered their homes for a coffee morning this Winter. This is very much appreciated by the committee as it helps to keep us all up to date on the latest happenings at the club. There is another very hard working group of people who deserve our praise and thanks and they are the ones who cut the hedges, mend fences, paint the club house and do any manner of repairs around the place. Thank you one and all. I hope I have not left anyone out, if! have please accept my apologies, I do my best! |
At this point it is time to say thank you to all the members who help to keep the club running. Margaret Roberts and her jolly band of helpers who made us happy with lots of excellent teas and lunches. With-out their willing work by way of baking cakes, making sandwiches, scones and all the other delicious bits and pieces the club would not be such a great piace to be. |
The following people were awarded cups and trophies at the Pegging OutAlan Newman - Backway Trophy Yelverton Trophy and the Drake Cup Ivor Moore - Clifton Tankard Waterhouse Cup and the Hartley Shield John Shepherd - Danks Cup and Hartley Shield Christine Shepherd - Marval Plate Ann Perry - Matchplay Cup and Mayflower Bowl Basil Bonniwell - Webster Cup Bill Davison - Arthur Addis Cup |
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PLYMOUTH CROQUET
CLUB
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Intermediate Team Torbay 1 Plymouth
4 Semi Finals at Torbay Budleigh Salterton 4 Plymouth 1 Well done team. Better luck next year! |
Report by Iris Bertie Nov 2002 |
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| updated 11 April, 2003 |