Currently there are 6 entrants (2 x Bury, 2 x Fylde, 1 x Llanfairfechan, 1 x Westmorland)
Two more would be ideal
Please contact Liz (liz@palnet.co.uk or phone 07979 414141) to join us
North West Federation of Croquet Clubs - for everything Croquet in the north west
by Chris Alvey
Currently there are 6 entrants (2 x Bury, 2 x Fylde, 1 x Llanfairfechan, 1 x Westmorland)
Two more would be ideal
Please contact Liz (liz@palnet.co.uk or phone 07979 414141) to join us
by Chris Alvey
19 competitors visited this event with flexibility on various requests for leave.
Handicaps ranged from – 1 ½ to 24 and we had travellers from as far away as Bristol and Aberdeen.
Block Events and a Double knock-out were followed by a flexible Egyptian handicap with all eligible providing 5 handicap games were played
The whole event was played in good spirit with much fun and laughter. With an odd number on one day Paul Rigge took on the 2 high bisquers (24 and 20!) at the same time double banked. Having pulled 46 bisques he managed to beat both of them.
A wild cheer was heard from the pavilion when Peter Wilson was seen lying on the ground by corner 4 on a far lawn lining up a two ball peg-out …….. and got it! Competitors were lucky to get a few coaching tips from Dave Kibble and we are all now experts on thin take-offs and sweep shots!
Results
The Pendle Rose Bowl A Class Advanced Dave Kibble
The David Jenkinson Trophy B Class Advanced Derek Knight
The Pennine Cup Handicap Garry Wilson
The David Hoyle Trophy Handicap Andrew Gould
The Woodlands Trophy Handicap Doubles Roger Staples and Liz Wilson
The Irish Cup Egyptian Winner Dave Kibble
The Egyptian Cup Fastest Win (58mins) Ken Jones
The Addict Most Games Played Dave Kibble
Weather wise, we didn’t have a drop of rain, but play finished early When for two reasons; (1) the place got mowed – Steve again, after a three year gap & (2) the tournament dinner at the ‘Jade’ – 14 joined in, what a treat/laugh.
Not Pictured, Ken Jones for Fastest Game (58mins).
Thanks due, as always to; Paul D – mowing Monday, Libby – Bacon Butty service, Peter & Liz for hoop setting & white lining Monday, and managing the whole week.
by Chris Alvey
Bury Croquet Club recently welcomed 3 former international footballers and well known football pundits, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher & Roy Keane to their Whitehead Park, Bury lawns who to film the finale episode of a four part series “The Overlap On Tour Live”.
The famous trio were joined by ‘Handsome’ Bob O’Donovan, an old team mate of Roy Keane who flew from Ireland to take part in the programme. Gary Neville lived across the road from the croquet lawns and played bowls there with his grandfather & father when it was a bowling club.
None of them had played croquet before and were given some basic coaching by Club Chairman Roy Spencer with assistance from other club members. The foursome then played a competitive game suitable attired in appropriate club colours and croquet attire.
Roy said “It was a great thrill for the club to welcome these highly talented well known sportsmen to the club. Initially it was a little daunting when I was asked to referee the game but it was played in great and competitive spirit. However, I did learn what it’s like to be an international football referee when a disputed decision resulted in all four of them making their feelings known – close up and personal!”
The programme, which is one of Sky TV’s most popular shows, was aired on 5th July on Sky Max, & Sky Showcase, also available on Sky on Demand on Now TV, gave quite extensive cover of the game of croquet – albeit a rather unusual one!
Following the game, Gary, Jamie & Roy then went on to appear in the live sell out show at Manchester Apollo at which the filming at Whitehead park was featured.
Pictures:
Club Chairman Roy Spencer explains rudiments of croquet.
The visitors with some Bury Club members involved on the day.
The Overlap on Tour Trophy that was presented to the winning pair.
For further information or photographs please contact:
Roy Spencer
Chairman, Bury Croquet Club
07816 644 925