Sussex County v Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis (& Croquet) Club friendly match

On 12th August Fiona Phillips, Robyn Clark, Vincent L’Estrange, Tony Jolly, David King and Linda Gavigan set off early for a friendly match against Wimbledon.

After coffee and a brief tour of the club house we were ferried to the croquet lawns, tucked away behind the main club site. The lawns, recently in use as practice courts for the Wimbledon Grand Slam, were in great condition and played very well.

As we’d done the last time our hosts came to Southwick, we each partnered one of their team for two very enjoyable rounds of doubles which were hard fought but great fun.

The temperature had reached 30c+ by the time we stopped for a delicious (and air conditioned!) lunch. One of the highlights was chatting to Robert, the AELTC historian and archivist who joined us for the day (back row, first left in the photo). A mine of information on the history of the club, tennis and croquet. When we returned to the lawns the heat was such that only one further game was possible. A complete contrast to the weather last year when our visit was cancelled due to torrential rain. If only!

A leisurely tea and cake back at the main club house rounded off a lovely day.

As always, the Wimbledon hospitality was outstanding and we look forward to welcoming them to Southwick at the beginning of September. Traditionally these friendly matches are played home and away on alternate years but as last year was cancelled due to the weather we’re doing both this year.

Linda Gavigan

Alzheimers Croquet and Cream Tea a great success

Message from Tim Wilkins, Service User Involvement Officer, West Sussex, Alzheimer’s Society.

Please can you thank all your Coaches/Volunteers for all their wonderful support and information to everyone playing croquet and watching, car parking duties and all their help with everything.

Once again they were all fantastic, Angela.

The feedback I’m having from people who attended is all so positive. One gentleman who came along with his wife who has Alzheimer’s emailed me to say: ‘We had a lovely time, the afternoon was so well organised. The people who were helping us play croquet and doing the refreshments were wonderful’.

Thanks to everyone who helped.

Angela Avis

It's off to the seaside for Sussex County's two teams in the Croquet South East GC Jamboree, held on Sunday 9th August.

A report by Angela Marjoram and Diana Rolfe

Sunday's glorious sunshine was perfect weather for our yearly Carnival Day, organised and run by Bill Arliss, and assisted by Bob Clark.

Eight teams arrived bright and early, most in fancy dress with a colourful variety of table decorations, hoping to win the prizes of best costumes and best table display.

Each team played 4 x 40 minute timed doubles games in the morning; followed by 8 x 50 minute timed singles games after our lovely lunch prepared by the wonderful catering ladies.

The 2 Sussex County teams - Southwick Sur Mer and Sussex Surfers both won 2 of our 4 doubles games; and in the afternoon Southwick Sur Mer won 5 of their singles, whilst the Sussex Surfers won 3 of their singles (some were won by the new target/percentage system).

Southwick Sur Mer team was captained by Diana Rolfe, with
David and Joanne Harding
Sue Kilby
Morgan Case

(Team member David Harding won both his singles in the afternoon and with them a handicap reduction.)

Sussex Surfers was captained by Angela Marjoram, with
Graham Tucker
Pat Harden
Peter Goldsmith
Paul Green

A good time was had by all, with much hilarity, helped with some Pimms, made by Tony Marjoram.

At this time the Editor hasn't received overall results in the competition but will update in due course.

Sussex member wins High Bisque Tournament

Last week's Supervised High Bisque Tournament run by the Croquet Academy at Sussex was won by Rosemary Faulkner. The main draw was tightly contested with Tony Marjoram, Sue Kilby, Rosemary Faulkner and Chris Davidson all doing well. The final round saw Tony defeat Sue, and Rosemary beat Chris. So 3 wins for 3 players!! Rosemary had a draw in one game and no defeats so the manager declared her the winner.

Rosemary Faulkner being presented with the trophy by Club Chairman Clive Hayton