Extra AC 14pt Competition - by Webmaster 04/08/2020 @ 08:25 

There will be an extra AC 14pt competition in the one-day series on 16th September 2020. You can enter on-line now. £10 for members, £15 for non-members, no catering etc.

Annual Midweek Tournament - by Webmaster 01/08/2020 @ 07:26 

Annual Midweek Tournament

A gala of croquet at Southwick on Wednesday and Thursday with players in five different competitions in AC and GC, played under clear blue skies, as is always the case in Shoreham of course.

12 players competed on Wednesday and Thursday for the A class Abbey Challenge Cup, one of Sussex's more impressive pieces of silverware, and for the B class Scott Cup.

With limited numbers this year the Abbey Challenge was played in a flexible format to give the players as many games as they wished over the two days and were by and large left to their own devices by the manager: an American block as the basis, interspersed and followed by additional flexible Swiss games. Joel Taylor came fired up from the Eastern Championships and took the cup with 7/9 wins from nearest rivals Chris Coull and Chris O'Byrne. Congratulations to Joel.

Joel Taylor and the Abbey Challenge Cup

Liz Farrow and the Scott Cup

Most notable performance was probably from veteran Paul Castell who beat Chris O'Byne +14otp in what Chris described as 'brilliant play' and 'amazing'. Paul went on to beat Chris again in the Swiss rounds.

The competition for the Scott Cup was a 5 match block which was won by Liz Farrow, with 4/5 wins. Congratulations to her. Chris Rolph won his Silver Merit Award with an all round break against David H Boyd, taking the game +3. Well done to Chris. David also made an all round break of 12 in the same game but alas ......

David H Boyd taking croquet

Richard Brooks and the Jellicorse Cup

The three GC competitions were all single day events. 12 players competed for the Jellicorse Cup (A class) in two blocks with a single play-off round. The cup was won by Richard Brooks who beat Ian Shore 7-2. Congratulations to Richard. The B class competition (currently no cup) followed on Thursday and was in the same format; it was won by Stephen Hayns who beat Frances Low 7-6 in the final round. Congratulations to Stephen.

Stephen Hayns

John Knight and the Daldy Cup

Unfortunately the original Covid restrictions only allowed us to have space for one block in the C class event. Nonetheless the six players had lawns 3 and 6 to themselves; Diana Langridge and John Knight both ended with 4 wins each; although Diana had beaten John, he had the better net score and so took the cup - not the Isaacs trophy as advertised but our open competition Daldy Cup which has been out of use for some time.

As recommended there was no manager's table or office and results were sent by text to the manager who uploaded them immediately to CroquetScores so they could be seen and checked, a system that worked very well. Everyone complied very well with the Covid restrictions on distancing etc and I am sure the croquet balls, carriers etc  at Southwick have never been so clean. It is a shame there could be no catering, and we missed the Sussex beer. Still, the lawns played beautifully.

Full results on Croquetscores (AC) and CroquetScores (GC).
 

Booking lawn now much easier - by Webmaster 22/07/2020 @ 21:52 

New lawn booking system

Francis has produced a new automated form to book lawns at the club.

Follow this link: sussexcountycroquetclub.org.uk/calendar/make-booking

Bookmark the link in your browser for future use.

Another mammoth one-day GC competition at Southwick - by Webmaster 21/07/2020 @ 21:14 

Another mammoth one-day GC competition at Southwick

Despite having to work within Covid-19 restrictions Roger Sutton deleivered another mammoth day of Golf Croquet to 42 players from SCCC and other local clubs on 17th and 18th July. So many wanted to take part that the event had to be spread over two days - and the next one in August is set to be a two-day competition as well.

Covid restrictions meant all play had to be in 6 player groups so there was no overall winner of each of the three levels of competition - two blocks of A level and C level play and three blocks at B level.

Very many thanks to Roger for the huge effort involved in mounting the competition in difficult conditions.

Results

A level

B Level

C level

If anyone cares to submit a photo to webmaster he will happily publish it with a credit.

GC level play singles competition 17th August 2020 - by Webmaster 20/07/2020 @ 11:37 

GC level play singles competition 17th August 2020

This competition is being run over two days in the same manner as earlier GC one-day competitions: Monday 17th August and Tuesday 18th August, playing on one day or the other.

I have contacted all existing entries to check their preferred day of play.

Anyone who wishes to enter to play on Saturday please do so even though the detail says 17th August. You can put TUESDAY in the box for Partner if you wish but I will contact all new entries in any case.

Note: Enter for the 17th August even if you can only play on the 18th.

Thanks

John Low
Tournament Secretary

Jill Austin - by Webmaster 12/07/2020 @ 09:25 

Jill Austin

We are very sorry to hear that Jill Austin, long time and Life Member of the Club has died.

Many members knew her well. Pam and Gerald Gooders were two of them: "She joined the Club in 1995. Previously she had played at the Tennis Club with her sister, where they had won many competitions.

She was the type of member any club would be pleased to welcome, immediately beginning to help where she could.  She joined the Working Party, concentrating on the borders, which many visitors to the Club commented on.  She was willing to try her hand at anything apart from baking, which she laughingly admitted wasn't her thing!  She was awarded a Diploma from the CA in 2004 for her many services to croquet; the citation specifically mentioned her care of the borders.  

Jill was a good player of all forms of the game and organised the Club Roll Up afternoons.  She was also the Club Membership Secretary for many years.  A delightful person and valued club member."

Jill (third from left) at the Xmas Party in 2016

Part of Jill's Long Border, earlier in the same year

GC Examining Coach - by Webmaster 09/07/2020 @ 21:37 

GC Examining Coach 

From the Director of the Croquet Academy:

It gives me great pleasure to announce that Janet Hoptroff has attained her position as a GC Examining Coach.
The endorsements given by very well respected members of the CA Coaching  Committee were outstanding. 
Janet has worked tirelessly for The Croquet Academy for over seven years and her very professional way of Coaching has set a standard for all of us who have worked with and been led by her.

Well done Janet!

Richard Carline

One day Competitions - by Webmaster 08/07/2020 @ 14:23 

One day Competitions

There are changes being made to the means of entering one day competitions for club and SECF members. In summary: on-line entry only and payment by bank transfer in advance.

The details can be found here.

These arrangements will apply from the first competition in August.

Finding your way around this site - by Webmaster 03/07/2020 @ 06:11 

Can you find what you're looking for on our website?

The main route to all information on this website is through the Main Menu along the top of the screen: Welcome | Croquet | Club Info | News  | Gallery   Click on the word and further menus will appear.

The Links Menu along the right hand side or at the bottom of the screen on mobile devices gives direct access to particular individual items on this or other related websites.

Club re-opens for play - see guidelines here - by Webmaster 01/07/2020 @ 14:37 

Return to croquet - Updated guidance 1st June 2020

In addition to the guidance notes of 12th May below and following the Government's announcement on 28^th May and clarification from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the CA's guidance to clubs and players has been updated, with effect from Monday 1^st June in England, as follows:

1. If clubs decide that they can safely accommodate greater numbers, up to 4 people can be allowed on a court at one time to play either a game of doubles or two games of double-banked singles or a single game of singles. All players must keep 2m apart at all times unless they are in the same household. Particular care should be taken in all doubles, including alternate stroke Association Croquet and in Golf Croquet games.

2. In double-banked games players are advised to mark balls from the other game only when necessary and to use their own markers. Balls should be moved and replaced by foot.

3. Up to 6 people can be allowed on a court for coaching purposes i.e. 5 students and one coach. The coach is responsible for maintaining social distancing throughout the session.

4. A record should be kept of any non member who visits SCCC grounds.

A book to record visitor details can be found in the veranda room.

5. Croquet balls to be washed in soapy water when returned to clubhouse.

6. Social distancing and strict hygiene protocols to be followed.

7. The ball carrier handle should be wiped with sanitiser.

Return to Croquet guidance - 12 May 2020 

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IMPACT OF COVID-19   

Firstly, the club would like to thank all members for their support and ask for their continued support in these very difficult times. This is obviously subject to change at short notice, should the Government guidance change.

The Government has announced that exercise and sport with household members or with one other person outside your household is allowed in this phase of the Corona Virus.

Based on this guidance, the Committee has reviewed all of the detailed guidance, consulted with others and so long as this guidance permits, we view that offering the use of the croquet lawns is something that is good for the physical and mental well-being of our members over the coming weeks and potentially months.

Vulnerable members with underlying health conditions should continue to shield themselves at home.

There are stringent measures that must be followed if playing croquet is to be managed in a safe way.

In practical terms what we believe this means is as follows:

1. There can be no formal “social croquet” sessions.

2. A maximum of 2 players to a lawn* - either a game of singles or two members practising with appropriate social distancing rules.

3. The possibility of a lawn booking system is being looked into but in the meantime guidelines for lawn use are set out at the end of this document.

4. Play should not start until 11am each day to allow Ben and Dan to prepare the lawns earlier in the morning, and to pack up their equipment and leave the club before members arrive.

5. Any activity should only take place where travel to and from the lawns can be done in a way compliant with social distancing rules. Players should not be travelling together unless they are part of the same household residing in the same place.

6. Any activity should be in line with the Government’s advised social distancing measures at all times (defined by Public Health England as spending no more than 15 minutes and not within a 2-metre distance when talking to someone), including when arriving to and departing from a lawn.

7. Avoid touching your face and, of course, observe all of the other health advice from the Government. The croquet balls should be handled as little as possible.

8. Hand sanitisers will be available near the ball rack and hands should be sanitised before picking up the ball carrier to take it to the lawn and after returning the ball carrier to the rack.

9. No extra-curricular or social activity should take place and the canteen will remain closed.

10. No guests / visitors / spectators should be permitted.

(* more than two players can play together on a lawn if they are all from the same household)

Attendance and playing at a club are entirely at the discretion of members.

If members wish to use the club, members must take the following actions to help mitigate the risk of infection and to protect each other.

Especially, do not access the club if you are experiencing any symptoms of a cold or flu, in particular a cough or high temperature.

1. Dress appropriately prior to travelling to the venue. Use of changing facilities is discouraged.

2. Wash your hands whenever you play – before play and immediately after.

3. Bring your own water bottles.

4. Do not shake hands before or after a game.

As you will appreciate, we are dealing with a lot of points in a fast-changing situation.

These are uncertain and very unsettling times. We want to play our part in helping our local community stay physically and mentally healthy and as long as it is safe to do, and provided that it is consistent with Government guidance, we want to keep the croquet lawns open and available to members to use. This can only happen if everyone sticks to the guidance and practical steps set out above. We hope you all stay healthy and that we all get through these challenging times by looking to help each other where we can.

Guidelines for use of lawns

No more than two players (unless all are from the same household) per lawn either playing singles or practising individually.

Lawns will be available in two hour slots starting at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm. Players should vacate the lawn at the end of the slot if people are waiting to play.

Priority should be given to GC play for the 11am and 1pm slots on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and to AC play on the 11am and 1pm Wednesday slots. But these times are not reserved only for that form of the game. If lawns are available at the start of the slot, people wishing to play the other form can do so for the duration of that slot.

The later afternoons, Fridays and weekends have historically been quieter so no priorities are being given for now to GC or AC.

It is likely that the 11am and 1pm slots will be more popular so members might find that there are more lawns available at 3pm or 5pm.

If you are waiting for a lawn to become free, we recommend you wait by the lawn to prevent a large group of members congregating by the clubhouse.

These guidelines will allow up to 88 members to play per day when all lawns are in use.

We will keep these guidelines under review and amend them if needed.

Please let Clive or Fiona know of any problems arising.

Return to croquet - Updated guidance 1st June 2020

In addition to the guidance notes of 12th May and following the Government's announcement on 28^th May and clarification from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the CA's guidance to clubs and players has been updated, with effect from Monday 1^st June in England, as follows:

1. If clubs decide that they can safely accommodate greater numbers, up to 4 people can be allowed on a court at one time to play either a game of doubles or two games of double-banked singles or a single game of singles. All players must keep 2m apart at all times unless they are in the same household. Particular care should be taken in all doubles, including alternate stroke Association Croquet and in Golf Croquet games.

2. In double-banked games players are advised to mark balls from the other game only when necessary and to use their own markers. Balls should be moved and replaced by foot.

3. Up to 6 people can be allowed on a court for coaching purposes i.e. 5 students and one coach. The coach is responsible for maintaining social distancing throughout the session.

4. A record should be kept of any non member who visits SCCC grounds.

A book to record visitor details can be found in the veranda room.

5. Croquet balls to be washed in soapy water when returned to clubhouse.

6. Social distancing and strict hygiene protocols to be followed.

7. The ball carrier handle should be wiped with sanitiser.