The season has now ended and the equipment has been removed from the lawn. We thrive on being a social club but this has sadly been diminished in 2020 due to the pandemic. We have had a few highlights though:
We held our AGM on 12 March, just before restrictions were introduced, which was followed by a delicious Cheese and Wine Party organised by Sue and Mike Smith. For the record the 2019 competition winners, honoured at the time, were Steve Frazer, Alison Callaway & Sue Smith and Sue Meek who won the singles, doubles and plate respectively.
Seven new members joined the club this year – Sally Daniell, Annabel McDiarmid, Caroline and Gerry Morgan, Diana Pedersen, Anita Pocock-Gulliver and Andy Walker. We wish them a very warm welcome and many happy years playing croquet.
We agreed in committee that due to the disruption this year, next year’s subscription would be complimentary for those who joined in 2020.
We played in the One Court League and, as a result, Peter Fennell arranged a friendly match, at Dogmersfield, with Caversham. From memory this was only the third match we have played at home, the other two visiting clubs being Littlehampton and Phyllis Court.
The one competition held this year was the Mander Cup, expertly run by Veronica and her team – many congratulations to Sue Smith who won!
We had a socially distanced fun day, effortlessly run by Jill Catt as usual, together with this year’s singles final won by Bob Blightman.
And finally it was Bob who probably made the greatest contribution to this year’s activities by producing our very own web site. A huge thank you for this task which was not without its challenges.
Our Christmas skittles dinner will not take place this year unless there is a miraculous change in the country’s fortunes. As we are in Tier 1, however, members may meet in groups of six, indoors, at restaurants or at home, so perhaps some of you may like to meet up independently. I should be happy to join in, or even arrange a bubble, if anyone would like me to!
With best wishes, apologies if I have missed anyone and hoping you all keep safe,
Roger