AGM and Start of Season

Bakewell Croquet Club held its AGM in The Friends’ Meeting House on March 7th. Outgoing chairman, Bill Robinson, reported on a successful season in 2017. Forty five members enjoyed a variety of events both on and off the lawns. Congratulations to Steve Marsh and Tim Spray winners of the Founders’ Cup and the Chairman’s Cup. Two teams played in the East Midlands League. Well done to the A team who finished half way up Division One. The B team (after some close matches) came bottom of Division Two.

Congratulations to Jean Peters our new Chairperson and thanks to Allen Flatman and Ann Riley who have agreed to continue as treasurer and secretary for the 2018 season. Many thanks also to retiring chairman Bill Robinson for his hard work over the past two years.

On March 14th Jean Peters welcomed members to the Annual Dinner at Bakewell Golf Club where an excellent meal was enjoyed by all.

Indoor Winter Croquet and Winter Walks followed by Pub lunches have kept members entertained over the colder months but they are looking forward to playing on the lawns again when the new season starts in April.

End of season summary: Ripon Visit, Club Tournament, Socials

Ripon Visit
Ripon Visit

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!).

Club Tournament
Club Tournament

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 Wins National Trophy!

20170818_080903Bakewell 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.

2017 AGM Update

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).

IMG_20170308_204836_hdr_kindlephoto-95140775
B-team with their 2016 winning Trophy

GOLF CROQUET B-LEVEL NATIONAL COMPETITION 

steveBy 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.

Bakewell Croquet Club – National Croquet Day – 5th June 2016

Enjoying ‘The Croquet Experience’
Enjoying ‘The Croquet Experience’

The ‘Croquet Experience’ was enjoyed by many participants on a glorious summers day at the Derbyshire Dales Bakewell Recreation Ground on the 5th June ‘National Croquet Day’.

 

Two full sized lawns were well presented and fully occupied throughout the day by visitors from all corners of the globe and watched by many more interested spectators.

 

Jean Peters and Bill Robinson – Enthusiasm of the older generation
Jean Peters and Bill Robinson – Enthusiasm of the older generation

Bakewell Croquet Club catered for over 80 players from many backgrounds and age groups ably recruited from the visiting public and refreshments were available at the pavilion for all to enjoy.

 

A thoroughly good experience was enjoyed by all with many ‘hooked’ on the opportunity to further their knowledge of the sport.

 

 

 

Some more images, click on an image to open the gallery and click through the images:

Playing Commences, Annual Dinner and National Croquet Day!

Bakewell croquet club has now begun a new playing season, with lots of events organized as well as league matches and friendly games with other clubs, see our calendar for 2016 for the details. The courts are located in the recreation ground , in front of the cricket pavilion, see here.
Playing sessions are … Monday- 2-4 , Thursday 2-4 , (association croquet 6 p m Thursday) and Saturday 10-12 a.m.  Any one interested is welcome to come along and have a go .

IMG_20160312_2218461_rewind
The club’s annual dinner was held on 16 th March at Bakewell golf club and much enjoyed by all. Our tea lady Mrs Billie Reeves has hung up her pinny and in appreciation of her 10 years of hard work was presented with a tea cosy embellished with croquet motifs.

 

National croquet day is to be held on Sunday 6th. June.  Bakewell croquet club is taking part in this event, so if you have ever wondered what this game of skill and tactics is all about please come along and talk to the members who will be happy to explain and demonstrate. Hope to see you there!

IMG_20160416_1723061_rewind