Author: Webmaster

It is now Bakewell Croquet Clubs tenth birthday! So a celebration was held at the Bakewell Golf Club, with thirty five  members present.

We enjoyed a delicious meal in a warm and friendly atmosphere. After the meal, Steve and Nadia Marsh (two of our members) treated us to a delightful and varied musical concert. This talented duo played classical guitar and recorder pieces some of which were Steve’s own composition, followed by an Abba selection. To conclude, they were joined by Alan Reeves on clarinet for a lively jazz session.

During the evening, Alan was presented with an award from the Croquet Association, for services to croquet. It was his hard work and dedication that brought the club into being.

Throughout the winter, the club were fortunate to be able to practice and socialize at BORN 2 MOVE, an up to the minute fitness centre in Bakewell.

Hopefully winter is behind us and croquet proper will soon start on the recreation ground. Anyone who would like to have a go will be made most welcome.

 

Click the images to see a larger version

It will soon be the close of our playing season, but we shall continue until the weather and the state of the lawns prevents play.

In July several members took part in a ‘Sport for Children’ day at Carsington Water, the children and parents all enjoyed having a go! Click here to see more pictures.

Our club tournament in August had twenty-five members taking part. The croquet and excellent cakes were enjoyed in equal measure. The winners were Bill Robinson and Christine McMeeken.

In March 2015 we celebrate our ten-year anniversary.   It all came into being from a brain-wave of Alan Reeves, who persuaded a few friends that croquet was what our lives were lacking. The DDDC allowed us a space in the recreation ground, a grant was successfully applied for to buy equipment, all that remained was to learn how to play.

There are now thirty-five members and four playing sessions a week. New friends have been made and new skills learned. THANK YOU ALAN!

Plans are in place for a celebratory meal at Bakewell Golf Club in March 2015.

 

On the 20th July the Croquet Club offered taster sessions at Carsington Village Games.

On the 18th July the Rotary Club held a Croquet afternoon and evening on Ashford-in-the-Water Cricket  Ground. The weather was sunny and warm and the cream teas and Pimms helped to create the perfect English idyll.

President Roz Adamson welcomed members of Rotary Clubs, friends family and local residents to be tutored in the art of croquet by players from Bakewell Croquet Club.  By the end of the event – whilst not fully skilled, most participants were able to weild a mean mallet!

Funds were being raised by the Rotary Club to support youth related activities and awards.

Twelve members visited Snitterton Hall, Matlock for an afternoon playing on their croquet lawns.  An excellent day, enjoyed by all who played and it is hoped that we can arrange a similar event next year.

Bakewell Croquet Club are now well into the playing season after a soggy start.

In May, a group of members enjoyed a few days staying at the Ripon Spa Hotel and playing on their championship quality lawns

A club tournament was held on 31st May with 26 members taking part. The excellent refreshments being provided by members, the croquet was enthusiastic – probably due to the amount of cake consumed!

So far this year, two friendly games have been hosted here, one with Darley Dale and one with Southwell (who always go home with supplies of Bakewell puddings!), both games were most enjoyable.

The first A-team league match was played at home on the 11th June against Leicester. Unfortunately, Bakewell lost 5 games to their 7.

Future events include an outing to play at Snitterton court near Matlock; a club BBQ hosted by two of our members – with crazy croquet played on a sloping field usually occupied by sheep!

In the afternoon and evening of Friday, 18th July the Rotary Club are holding a charity event at Ashford-in-the-Water cricket club. Croquet demonstrations and taster games will be provided.

Details of club playing sessions can be found one the ‘More about the club‘ page, ‘Calendar of club events‘ page or in the Coming Events section of the Peak Advertiser.

The Croquet Club has enjoyed a winter season playing a variation of croquet indoors! A new fitness club, Born2move, has recently opened with a good sized area of astroturf and for a few hours on a Saturday afternoon, they kindly allowed us to set out our reasonably solid and (almost) immovable hoops. The hoops were designed and manufactured ‘in house’ by two shy and retiring (?) qualified mechanical engineers David Peters and Alan Reeves.

It is not quite the real thing but at least it gave us some practice in tactics and getting balls going in a chosen direction. It has been good fun and has kept members in touch throughout the off season.
Owner Matt Kay, his wife Sarah and staff made us most welcome, providing delicious healthy soups and rolls in the stylish, comfortable cafe upstairs prior to play.