NEWSLETTER - APRIL 2003

It is February, and what a cold spell we have had. The smell of oak logs crackling on the fire is really some-thing to relish. We love it. It is rare for us to have to light a fire, as winter is usually quite mild in this part of the world. This winter has been very different with quite a long spell of very cold days and nights.

Early in the month we found a bird's egg in the garden, at the time it was freezing cold. What's going on? "Have the birds gone mad"? It's too early for the cuckoo to have been at work. A short walk around to the pond and there before my eyes is frogspawn. This is at least a week early. Usually it is around St. Valentine's Day when frogspawn lands in our pond. Of course the weather deteriorates and the pond freezes. Frozen frogspawn! Perhaps they think freezing improves the intellect of the next generation of frog? Have the frogs gone mad too? The first signs of Spring are magical. The very shy Hellebores with their pretty little faces gaze at the brown earth. This reminds me to look for Hellebores Atrorubens (purple) so I search them out. There they are under a rhododendron bush looking dainty and shy with their heads nodding in the cold winter wind. A sigh of relief to find they are still alive and doing well. In the undergrowth my attention is drawn to two large round objects, "Ostrich eggs?" I think! One black one white. On further inspection all is revealed, they are two croquet balls left out since a family get together last August. The grandchildren were supposed to tidy the equipment away. Kids!!
No omelette!! Have - ---- --- also?

And So To Croquet

By now the mallets should be out, clean and sparkling and ready for attack. April has arrived and the talk is of Croquet and all the fun of the Season to come. The new annex is up and in use and if you have not paid your subscription now is the time to do it. Eddie is the man for you.

• Full membership £70 • Country £60 • Social £5.

Cheques made payable to: Plymouth Croquet Club and sent to the Treasurer.

DATES OF MATCHES FOR YOUR DIARY

• Club Tournament - Saturday 14 June and Sunday 15 June • Budleigh Friendly at Plymouth - Thursday 26 June. • Golf Tournament - Thursday 17 July • Hartley Shield - Monday 25 August • Intermediate League Final - at Plymouth Sunday 28 September

It is important that you watch the Notice Board in case there are any changes to these dates. The date and venue of the leagues matches will be posted on the Notice Board by the Team Captains.

Your help is needed to do the teas at these matches, so please put your name down to help. Plymouth is famous for the delicious teas we provide. They travel for miles for the afternoon tea.
Go on please help.         

SOCIAL EVENTS

Margaret and her team of helpers have been busy setting out a programme of events for everyone to enjoy. It must be emphasised that all these dates are subject to change so please keep an eye out for information on the board. Here are some events to whet your appetite

• Opening of the Annex • Coffee Morning Bring and Buy - Wednesday 30'h April, at 10.30 a.m. • Bring your own Supper - Friday 9 May, 6 p.m. • Ploughman's Lunch for all - Saturday 24 May • Strawberry Tea - Wednesday 2 July • asty Supper and Bowls - Saturday 2 August • Ploughman's Lunch for all - Wednesday 20 August • Bring your own Supper - Friday 5 September • Ladies v Gents challenge - Saturday 20 September • Coffee and Cake - Friday 27 September

Other events have yet to be arranged including LADIES DAYS.

THESE DATES ARE NOT CARVED IN STONE THERE MAY BE CHANGES SO KEEP AN EYE ON THE NOTICE BOARD.

	HAVE A GREAT SEASON AND ENJOY YOUR CROQUET
Reg Bamford World No1 - 2002		What he should have done was ...