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Bakewell Croquet Club members visited Ripon Spa Hotel to mark the end of the 2017 season. Some good weather, close games of croquet and enjoyable meals ensured a successful few days.
The season has seen a variety of activities both on and off the croquet lawns. Two club tournaments, an open day and lots of club and league games have been enjoyed by our 40 members. The A team finished midway in their league but the B team ended at the bottom of theirs (plenty to play for next year!).

Members also enjoyed various social events including the annual meal at Bakewell Golf Club, a Barbecue at the home of David and Jean Peters and a social at the home of Tim and Anne Spray.

Sadly missed were Bob Furniss and Mike White. Though they are no longer with us their enthusiasm for croquet and the encouragement they gave to fellow players will continue to inspire us for many seasons to come.

Bakewell Croquet Club member Steve Marsh entered a recent National Level Play Golf Croquet competition.  It was a two-day event hosted by Chester Croquet Club, on the weekend 5th/ 6th August.   There were twelve players from all over the country taking part with two trophies at stake.

The MAGGIE COWMAN trophy was won by Garry Greenwood of Chester Croquet Club and the CHESTER BOWL was won by Steve Marsh of Bakewell Croquet Club.   Steve was presented with the trophy along with a bottle of wine.

Some of the club players that enjoyed the visit to play on the lawns of Snitterton Hall. A lovely sunny day, in the beautiful setting of the gardens of an Elizabethan Manor House with views of the Derbyshire countryside – perfect!

A contingent from Bakewell Croquet Club has had another enjoyable stay in the Ripon Spa Hotel, setting themselves up for the 2017 season.

There was a good attendance at the 12th Annual General Meeting of Bakewell Croquet Club at The Friends’ Meeting House on March 8th.

Chairman, Bill Robinson reported that 2016 had been a successful year for the club.  Two teams played in The East Midlands Federation League.  The A team finished in the middle of Division 1 and the B team came top of Division 3 earning the club’s first silverware and a move to Division 2.

We also hold two club tournaments each year. Congratulations to Peter Blackburn who won the May tournament ( Founder’s Cup) and to Tim Spray winner of the August event (Chairman’s Cup).

By coming second in a Preliminary Heat competition at Ashby, Bakewell Croquet Club player Steve Marsh qualified for entry and played in the B-Level National Finals.

The finals took place at Budleigh Salterton on 8th/9th October with sixteen players coming from all over the UK each playing fifteen games over the two days. They have nine perfect lawns at Budleigh Salterton – being likened to a billiard table in smoothness! ‘The best I have ever played on’ quoted Steve!

At the end of the first day Steve was in the lead, though eventually coming third by winning 10 of his 15 games.

The winner was Paul Gunn (handicap 1), the runner-up was Richard Bilton (handicap 2) and third was Steve (handicap 4).

Congratulations to Steve for doing so well in his first National Golf Croquet competition.