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Happy Christmas!
Happy hooping in 2023 |
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LAWNS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
We need to give the lawns time to recover.
We need to give the lawns time to recover.
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Visitors from Tasmania
Two keen Golf croquet players, who have represented Tasmania in national competitions, have been visiting friends in Letchworth. Janice and Paul were keen to visit a British croquet club and compare notes. Their club has one lawn and 40 members and has been running since 1915! As in our club, the majority play GC and they are looking to welcome some younger players. So, much the same the world over. They admired our facilities and were encouraging their friends to give croquet a try! |
LAWNS OPEN AGAIN
After the Autumn refurb and irrigation installation the lawns are open once more.
Please note:-
* the courts are about 85% of normal size, and have been rotated 90° clockwise
* be careful not to trip over or walk on the newly-installed pop-up sprinklers
* the area immediately in front of the shelter has been roped-off to allow it more time to recover
* please do not walk or play on grass that is frost-covered
* avoid the refilled trench around the lawn - the clay is horribly sticky!
Thanks again to our wonderful Grounds Team.
See Members' Information for new club session timetable
After the Autumn refurb and irrigation installation the lawns are open once more.
Please note:-
* the courts are about 85% of normal size, and have been rotated 90° clockwise
* be careful not to trip over or walk on the newly-installed pop-up sprinklers
* the area immediately in front of the shelter has been roped-off to allow it more time to recover
* please do not walk or play on grass that is frost-covered
* avoid the refilled trench around the lawn - the clay is horribly sticky!
Thanks again to our wonderful Grounds Team.
See Members' Information for new club session timetable
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Our Irrigation project has begun
First the trenches have to be dug. Then the piping and electrics have to be laid. Duncan Hector, who is still an honorary member of our club, has returned to supply equipment and know-how to our team. There are several very busy days ahead before the pop-up sprinklers are in place and in working order. We can then look forward to green lawns all next summer! Thanks to Duncan, Keith, David, Colin, Andy and John for their hard work on our behalf |
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Winners of the Anderson Shield
The Anderson Shield was a new B level Advanced club competition (AC) organised by EACF.
Sadly, only 4 clubs entered! In the first round Pinchbeck beat Downham Market (4-0) and Letchworth beat Watford (5-2) to get through to the final played at Newport in September. Letchworth beat Pinchbeck 6-1
The players were: Brian Havill, Keith Rhodes, David Matthew, John Noble, Colin Davies and Heather Bennett
The Anderson Shield was a new B level Advanced club competition (AC) organised by EACF.
Sadly, only 4 clubs entered! In the first round Pinchbeck beat Downham Market (4-0) and Letchworth beat Watford (5-2) to get through to the final played at Newport in September. Letchworth beat Pinchbeck 6-1
The players were: Brian Havill, Keith Rhodes, David Matthew, John Noble, Colin Davies and Heather Bennett
Congratulations to Club Champions 2022
AC H'cap Winner Colin Davies Runner up David Clancey
AC Adv. Winner David Mathews Runner up Jeremy Scott
GC Level Winner David Tutt Runner up Hugo Jeune
GC H'cap Winner Tracy Martin Runner up Sue Bathmaker
GC Ladies Winner Sue Bathmaker Runner up Sheila Haggett
AC H'cap Winner Colin Davies Runner up David Clancey
AC Adv. Winner David Mathews Runner up Jeremy Scott
GC Level Winner David Tutt Runner up Hugo Jeune
GC H'cap Winner Tracy Martin Runner up Sue Bathmaker
GC Ladies Winner Sue Bathmaker Runner up Sheila Haggett
GC Fun Doubles September 4th
Sheila Rhodes and Hugo Jeune won the Doubles competition and Graham Styles won the highest individual score. Congratulations to all
Sheila Rhodes and Hugo Jeune won the Doubles competition and Graham Styles won the highest individual score. Congratulations to all
Lawns close for Autumn refurbishment
from September 26th.
Announcement to follow for date of re-opening of lawns
from September 26th.
Announcement to follow for date of re-opening of lawns
Croquet Picnic in Andy's garden
We all went home happily carrying rhubarb and apples!
Thanks Andy for your welcome and generosity.
We all went home happily carrying rhubarb and apples!
Thanks Andy for your welcome and generosity.
Social evening July 29th - Fun Doubles with 20 players!
Irrigation Project
On Friday 22 July our Grounds Team demonstrated the use of the irrigation system on our parched lawn. Andrea hopes to post pictures of this event on our website. Most of us attending had not realised how heavy and cumbersome the apparatus is, and that watering both courts can take up to four hours. The whole process not only consumes both time and manpower but is also dependent on lawn availability as well as wind strength and direction. Keith Rhodes will now investigate the possibility of installing pipes and ‘pop-up’ spray devices round the courts. This extension to our system would use the existing tank and pump; would greatly simplify the watering process; and would allow efficient overnight operation.
On Friday 22 July our Grounds Team demonstrated the use of the irrigation system on our parched lawn. Andrea hopes to post pictures of this event on our website. Most of us attending had not realised how heavy and cumbersome the apparatus is, and that watering both courts can take up to four hours. The whole process not only consumes both time and manpower but is also dependent on lawn availability as well as wind strength and direction. Keith Rhodes will now investigate the possibility of installing pipes and ‘pop-up’ spray devices round the courts. This extension to our system would use the existing tank and pump; would greatly simplify the watering process; and would allow efficient overnight operation.
Club Champions 2021
Congratulations to our 2021 winners of club competitions
Janet Mathews - GC Ladies
Graham Styles - GC Handicap
Stuart Haggett - AC High Handicap
Congratulations to our 2021 winners of club competitions
Janet Mathews - GC Ladies
Graham Styles - GC Handicap
Stuart Haggett - AC High Handicap
Strawberry Tea GC Fun Doubles
26th June
26th June
Congratulations to the winners at the GC Fun Doubles
Tracy and Mary-Anne were the winning pair and Philip had the highest individual score of the afternoon.
Thanks to Colin for his usual perfect organisation and to Margaret, Susan and Jan for serving the delicious drinks, cakes and strawberries and to everyone who baked the cakes!
Tracy and Mary-Anne were the winning pair and Philip had the highest individual score of the afternoon.
Thanks to Colin for his usual perfect organisation and to Margaret, Susan and Jan for serving the delicious drinks, cakes and strawberries and to everyone who baked the cakes!
A great time was had by all!
David Maugham* demonstrates different croquet shots
David accompanied his wife Alison to lead another AC coaching course on the hottest day of the year! He showed us the process and stance for a full roll, half roll, drive and stop shot.
David has captained the English croquet team on many occasions. We are very fortunate that David and Alison are now members at Letchworth.
They next return to Letchworth on Friday July 1st
* David is one of the best AC players in the world, and has won numerous tournaments.
See .https://worldcroquet.org/david-maugham/
David accompanied his wife Alison to lead another AC coaching course on the hottest day of the year! He showed us the process and stance for a full roll, half roll, drive and stop shot.
David has captained the English croquet team on many occasions. We are very fortunate that David and Alison are now members at Letchworth.
They next return to Letchworth on Friday July 1st
* David is one of the best AC players in the world, and has won numerous tournaments.
See .https://worldcroquet.org/david-maugham/
John Noble has made a summary of recent changes to GC Rules for 2022 which he explained at a recent course. If you wish to download a copy then click below.
Edward Martin GC Tournament
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Congratulations to Tony Hyde who won the Edward Martin Cup playing in his first tournament! The Final was keenly fought and Tony beat Hugo Jeune on the golden hoop.
John Alabaster and Tricia Noble won the Consolation Doubles.
The weather was not kind for most of the day but the sun finally arrived as the tournament ended. Thanks to Keith and Colin for their excellent organisation which made everything run smoothly.
John Alabaster and Tricia Noble won the Consolation Doubles.
The weather was not kind for most of the day but the sun finally arrived as the tournament ended. Thanks to Keith and Colin for their excellent organisation which made everything run smoothly.
Anderson Shield 26th May
Heather Bennett, John Noble, David Mathews and Keith Rhodes played Watford in the first round of the Anderson Shield. This is a new EACF competition, AC B-level Advanced.
Congratulations to the Letchworth team who won 5 - 2
C A coach is running two courses at Letchworth
Alison Maugham (number 7 woman croquet player in the world!) is running a series of monthly sessions here for beginners and for experienced players. The focus is on A C. Alison gave enthusiastic, encouraging and informative instruction.
We have all received very valuable coaching and have been left with new ways to practise and new ideas to follow in the interim until the next session.
Alison Maugham (number 7 woman croquet player in the world!) is running a series of monthly sessions here for beginners and for experienced players. The focus is on A C. Alison gave enthusiastic, encouraging and informative instruction.
We have all received very valuable coaching and have been left with new ways to practise and new ideas to follow in the interim until the next session.
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David Mathews has just completed two brilliant items of furniture for the club. The main one is the two new benches which will be located on the decking, while the original two are now sited around the lawn. The other item may not be seen by everyone, but is a rigid stand for the fridge.
Both of them are great pieces of woodwork and the club is so lucky to be the recipient of his skills. |
Croquet Fun Doubles
Congratulations to Sue and Tracy who won the joint prize, to Robert who won the highest individual score and to Trish who won a special category!
Thanks to Colin for organising a great afternoon and to everyone who contributed.
Preparing our new social area - watch this space!
New Friday afternoon sessions 2 - 4pm Plans for next three months
April 22nd GC Handicap - open to all
April 29th GC tournament - teams
May 6th AC Coaching
May 13th GC Advantage play - explanation - open to all
May 20th GC Handicap - new rules/ skills refresher? - open
May 27th GC Handicap - open
June 3rd GC Jubilee tournament - teams
June 10th GC Advantage - open
June 17th AC Coaching
June 24th GC tournament - teams
July 1st AC coaching
July 8th GC match
July 15th GC tournament - teams
July 22nd GC Handicap - open
July 22nd GC Advantage - open
April 22nd GC Handicap - open to all
April 29th GC tournament - teams
May 6th AC Coaching
May 13th GC Advantage play - explanation - open to all
May 20th GC Handicap - new rules/ skills refresher? - open
May 27th GC Handicap - open
June 3rd GC Jubilee tournament - teams
June 10th GC Advantage - open
June 17th AC Coaching
June 24th GC tournament - teams
July 1st AC coaching
July 8th GC match
July 15th GC tournament - teams
July 22nd GC Handicap - open
July 22nd GC Advantage - open
Congratulations to 2021 winners
GC Handicap Graham Styles
GC Ladies Janet Mathews
AC High handicap Stuart Haggett
Congratulations to Heather Bennett
winning the trophy for most improved woman AC player in the country
winning the trophy for most improved woman AC player in the country
Quiller Barrett from the Croquet Association presented Heather with her trophy which she had earned as the most improved woman AC player in the country in 2021. This trophy is named the Steel trophy after a renowned woman player D. D. Steel who was a legendary croquet player in the 1920's.
Heather thanked all our AC players as they had helped her improve her game over the last five years. She now has a handicap of 1.
In 2021 Heather won three tournaments : Surbiton B level Advanced,
Watford B level Advanced, and
(EACF) Club Champions B level Adv section at Wrest Park. What an excellent record!
Heather thanked all our AC players as they had helped her improve her game over the last five years. She now has a handicap of 1.
In 2021 Heather won three tournaments : Surbiton B level Advanced,
Watford B level Advanced, and
(EACF) Club Champions B level Adv section at Wrest Park. What an excellent record!
Letchworth win the Longman Cup - again!
Congratulations to our team for winning the national AC tournament for the second time in three years.
Congratulations to our team for winning the national AC tournament for the second time in three years.
John leads Herts GC team to victory
Hertfordshire win GC Inter-Counties Division 2
Cheltenham 21-22 August and a sense of deja vu - same time, same place and, fortunately same result as, for the second year running, Letchworth's John Noble leads Hertfordshire to the top slot in Division 2 of the GC Inter-County Championship.
Hertfordshire were one of three counties to win five of their seven matches. But Herts had the better hoop score and, crucially, had also beaten second place Oxfordshire. Unlike 2020 when COVID forced the decision to block promotion and relegation between Divisions, Herfordshire and runners up, Oxfordshire, this year get the promotion they deserve. Kent and Glamorgan have been relegated to Division 2. Favourites Nottinghamshire were yet again the winners of Division 1.
The Hertfordshire team: Nick Archer, Simon Hathrell and John Taylor (Watford CC) and John Noble (Capt., Letchworth CC)
Cheltenham 21-22 August and a sense of deja vu - same time, same place and, fortunately same result as, for the second year running, Letchworth's John Noble leads Hertfordshire to the top slot in Division 2 of the GC Inter-County Championship.
Hertfordshire were one of three counties to win five of their seven matches. But Herts had the better hoop score and, crucially, had also beaten second place Oxfordshire. Unlike 2020 when COVID forced the decision to block promotion and relegation between Divisions, Herfordshire and runners up, Oxfordshire, this year get the promotion they deserve. Kent and Glamorgan have been relegated to Division 2. Favourites Nottinghamshire were yet again the winners of Division 1.
The Hertfordshire team: Nick Archer, Simon Hathrell and John Taylor (Watford CC) and John Noble (Capt., Letchworth CC)
Letchworth Croquet Club
We have had an active membership since our founding in 1987 and now have over 70 members with a range of abilities and interests.
There is a regular programme of club tournaments and social events throughout the year.
There is a regular programme of club tournaments and social events throughout the year.