National Croquet Day celebrated with '˜have a go' sessions at Duncton

Early forms of croquet were played as far back as the late middle ages but it was only last year that National Croquet Day was set up in a bid to raise awareness of the game.
Katharine Minchin (front) and members of the Rother Valley Croquet Club celebrate the Olympic torch relayKatharine Minchin (front) and members of the Rother Valley Croquet Club celebrate the Olympic torch relay
Katharine Minchin (front) and members of the Rother Valley Croquet Club celebrate the Olympic torch relay

And now the Rother Valley Croquet Club is inviting people to come and have a go on its lawns at Duncton in a bid to raise awareness, attract new players and dispel the myths that surround the game.

Chairman Katharine Minchin said: “Contrary to popular belief it is not a vicious game where you spend your time rescuing your ball from the bushes! If an opponent puts your ball off the lawn that is the end of their turn and similarly the old rule, much quoted, about standing on one ball while hitting another has long gone!

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“It is not just for the old who can’t play any other game! There are many young people who started here and who now play at university and we don’t see them again on the lawns here. We would love to see them back, and their families.”

She said there were two versions of the game, both of which were played in Duncton at the Rother Valley Croquet Club in its beautiful setting in front of Duncton Village Hall.

“We have two and a half lawns , so plenty of room for many people to play at once. We have a splendid club house with all the necessary facilities and plenty of mallets so there is no need to worry about not having the right equipment.”

Rother Valley Croquet Club members are pictured with their chairman Katharine Minchin (front) taking part in Olympic torch relay celebrations. They have club roll up days on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons and Mondays for teaching. They have four nationally recognised coaches.

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Members of the public will be welcomed on National Croquet Day on Sunday, June 4 from 2pm to darkness to have a go, with cream teas and Pimms on offer. More details are available from Katharine on 01730-813586

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