7 Oct 2025

One month on….

2025

Friday 5 September

Will returned with the seeder and laser levelling gear. He spent hours driving around and around with the latter, moving earth from high points to lower areas, guided by the laser on the tripod at the edge of the lawn. The seed was distributed using a twin harrowing machine which also had a levelling effect. Then a drag mat was pulled over the surface in different directions. Finally, fertiliser was applied using a walk-behind device. A long day’s work with a lovely flat finish.

Tuesday 2 September

The first two stages of the relaying of the lawns took place today, in the sunshine. The very efficient team of Will and Stuart from Parker’s Pitches came with their smart blue tractors and the Koro and Stoneburying machines.

The Koro first of all removed the top layer of turf and sprayed it into an accompanying trailer. The ‘arisings’ were then carted away to be dumped on a large compost heap beyond the walled garden.

In the afternoon, Will towed the Stoneburying machine over the lawn area, creating a fine tilth about three inches deep. This would normally be left for the final, seeding and laser-levelling stage but as heavy rain is due for the next two days he ran over the entire area with the tractor, compressing the soil. He explained that this was to prevent the rainfall turning everything into sludge.

Seeding and laser-levelling follow on Friday.

Sat 9 August

Lady Rose Bowl

There was a good turnout of eight of us competing in the final club tournament of the season, a Oneball event. Some very close finishes in matches and two players with four wins by the end of play but as one had beaten the other there was no need for a shootout and Al Napp claimed another trophy in his return to croquet season.

Mon 28 July

AC league v Peterborough ( away)

Bryan, John and Jonathan travelled to Peterborough’s flat lawns in Central Park for a close match in our final EACF league game which the hosts won 3-1. It was very nearly a draw with the doubles pairing of John and Bryan losing by only one point.

Sat 26 July

Barrett Pot

The Golf Doubles tournament named after the late, great Dennis was won by Ros and Ian, thereby demonstrating the benefit of a season’s competitive play.

Thurs 24 July

Golf league v Pinchbeck ( away)

Carol, Ros and Ian visited Pinchbeck with some very close matches against experienced players. The hosts won narrowly, in slightly damp conditions.

Weds 23 July

Watlington Weds Club

A slightly smaller group than usual made their annual visit for fun games of Golf croquet topped off with a first visit to the delights of the Fork Handles cafe.

Sat 12 July

Egyptian

Bryan, Alex and Jonathan had a very close tussle with each taking one win. There will therefore be a Hemmings Shootout to determine the winner of the shapely trophy.

Tues 1 July

Anderson Shield v Pinchbeck ( away)

Bryan, Jonathan and Colin enjoyed the fast lawn and hospitality of the Pinchbeck club in Mike Bowser’s garden. We lost but of course had a good time.

Sat 28 June

Stow Pan

Contested by Alex, Bryan and Jonathan with the latter the eventual winner.

Sun 22 June

Golf at Hunstn

Carol, Gary, Ros and Ian enjoyed themselves, learning a lot about the game and rules and had some excellent wins and narrow losses. The first of four sessions through the summer.

Sat 21 June

AC at Hunstn

On the longest day, ( a very warm one) the opening salvo of the new series of matches at Hunstn playing on their lovely lawns against teams from around East Anglia. The team of Bryan, John and Jonathan played four matches, winning one, with narrow defeats in some others.

Weds 18 June

Social lunch

A smaller gatheting than normal in the cool of the trees discussing croquet and other matters over very tasty shared food and drink.

Tues 17 June

AC league v Norwich

We hosted Norwich and had a very enjoyable day’s play, winning 3-1. All topped off of course with an excellent tea…in the shade.

Sat 14 June

Hipgrave Shield

A good turnout for this tournament specifically for higher handicaps. Al Napp, on his return to croquet after a long break, was the clear winner with 100% wins.

Fri 13 June

Golf league v Sudbury

The Golfers ( Carol, Gary, Ros and Ian) travelled to Sudbury where their hosts provided a warm welcome but won the match convincingly.

Thurs 12 June

Golf league v Pinchbeck

The Downham team of Carol, Gary and John hosted Pinchbeck in their first match and had a good win against their experienced visitors.

Tues 10 June

AC league v Pinchbeck

In our opening AC league match away to Pinchbeck, the Downham team of Colin, Bryan and Jonathan were soundly beaten 4-0 in an enjoyable day’s play.

Sat 31 May

Champagne

Bryan and Jonathan battled it out in the sunshine with Bryan taking home the bottle of bubbly.

24 – 27 May

Inter – Counties, Brighton & Eastbourne

The Norfolk/ Lincs team had a fine time at the annual jamboree of around 200 AC players on the south coast. We won the occasional game but no matches so were rewarded with the wooden spoon. Jonathan met a kindred spirit.

Sun 18 May

Peggy’s Plant

A good day’s play in this Golf Singles event with Judy winning the geranium from the Stow plant stall.

Sat 17 May

National Oneball Finals, Nottingham

Ros and Ian enjoyed themselves on the pristine lawns of Nottingham playing in the national finals of the charity oneball event.

Weds 14 May

Shared lunch

A very tasty picnic of shared food in the sunshine. Is this trifle all for me??

Sat 26 April

Butters’ Trophy

We all had a splendid day’s croquet playing out several rounds of the Charity Oneball ( raising funds this year for Alzheimer’s Society, hence the splash of blue). Ros and Sheila played very well with lots of wins but Colin triumphed again with 5/6.

Sat 5 April

Opening day

Splendid weather for the opening day which we all enjoyed ( along with lunch for some of us in the rejigged tearooms).

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Sun 22 September

Lady Rose Bowl

Seven of us took part in the inaugural playing of this Oneball event at the end of the season. We were lucky with the weather, enjoying a mainly dry day’s play and Ian Metcalfe was the recipient of the splendid trophy. The players were joined at the end for a photo opportunity by the very patient Lou who had watched proceedings with interest.

Tues 17 September

Social

Another fine gathering in the sunshine sharing food and drink ( Jack’s cider) and conversation in the September sunshine.

Sun 15 September

Barrett Pot

Three doubles pairs of Alison and Jonathan, Colin and Lucy and David and Sheila ( entering their first tournament). A lovely day’s play in the sunshine. Each pair had a win so we had a Hemmings shootout with Alison scoring 5 out of a possible nine to secure victory.

Weds 11 September

Champagne

Martin, Ian, Bryan and Jonathan had an enjoyable day’s battle for the bottle of bubbly with Jonathan the eventual winner. It was a bit chilly out of the sun, with a rather stiff, persistent breeze from the north. (On the following Monday, fitting in postponed tournaments at the end of the season, Jonathan won the Egyptian – a very close battle with a Hemmings shootout with Bryan).

Sun 18 August

Anderson Shield v Norwich

The Downham AC team of Bryan, Martin and Jonathan travelled over to Eaton Park for a close match v Norwich ( featuring Nick Harris, David Earl and Jonathan Sissons). By lunchtime we were one game all with Jonathan and Martin beating David and Jonathan S and Bryan losing to Nick. After a ride on the train ( requirement of visiting the park) and lunch we were again level at the end of play with Martin beating Jonathan S and the Norwich pair victorious in the doubles. We needed a result so had the Hemmings Shootout – croquet’s penalty decider. You shoot at Hoop 1 from the boundary. 1 point if you hit, 2 if you stick in the hoop, 3 if you run it. Everyone had 3 shots and nobody ran the hoop ( strange after a day’s practice) but Norwich won by 2 points and will go on to play Pinchbeck in the next round.

Sat 17 August

Stow Pan

Jonathan, Alison and Martin fought it out on a fine sunny day with Martin the eventual winner. Congrats to Alison for taking part in her first AC tournament.

Tues 13 August

Social lunch

A scene from a sunny summer’s day…

Weds 24 July

Watlington Wednesday Club

The members of WWC enjoyed their annual battle playing Golf Croquet in pairs with silly names, occasionally sheltering under the cedar. Tea and delicious cake at Church Farm as usual.

Sun 21 July

Hipgrave Shield

A small but select entry of Alison, Ian and Ros competing for the shield in the new Oneball format. Each won a game. Alison prevailed in the deciding shootout.

Sat 20 July

AC match v Norwich (away)

All level at lunchtime but the home team were eventual winners. Not too surprising given their excellent member Jonathan Kirby making a rare appearance. The best tea we have had to date.

Fri 19 July

GC match v Pinchbeck (away)

Carol, Ian and Ros did not prevail in Lincolnshire but enjoyed their visit to Mike’s garden.

Thurs 18 July

AC match v Pinchbeck

Lots going on at Stow this week. We drew with Pinchbeck in a close day’s play in very warm conditions.

Weds 17 July

GC match v Sudbury

A lovely sunny day with the visitors from Suffolk prevailing. A splendid tea followed play. Ian and Ros enjoyed their first competitive outing.

Fri 12 July

GC match v Dunham

The more experienced visitors prevailed but as usual everyone enjoyed themselves. Carol and Gary entered the fray for the first time.

Tues 18 June

AC league match v Peterborough

We hosted a Peterborough team which included Debbie Cornelius, the current Women’s World Champion and had a good match. Level at lunchtime, the eventual outcome of 1-3 was no disgrace considering the high quality of the opposition.

Sat 25 – Tues 28 May

Counties

We had a lot of fun as usual at this great gathering of players in Brighton and Eastbourne and showed an improvement on the previous year, winning two matches and avoiding the wooden spoon.

Saturday 11 May

Peggy’s Plant

Six of took part in the contest for a lovely plant from the gardens – Gary, Ian, Ros, Jonathan, Celia and Gill. After a competitive day of Golf Singles, Gill was the clear winner with a 100% record.

Tuesday 7 May

Social Day

Following a game or two in the morning, the first of the splendid shared lunches in the sunshine. Lots of smiles and very tasty home made food.

Sunday 21 April

Butters Trophy

Eleven entrants in the opening tournament of the season. A bracing day with the best of the sunshine later on. A brisk wind blowing from time to time. Nevertheless, enthusiastic play from all, including very recent arrivals Anthony and Catherine. In the end there were three players on four wins, seasoned competitors Colin and Lucy and George who joined last year. The Hemmings Shootout was watched in tense silence ( the croquet equivalent of the penalty decider after Cup games) and was won decisively by Colin Spencer.

2024