Despite the chilly weather outside, there was a warm and convivial atmosphere at Broadwas Croquet Club’s annual lunch held at the Royal Oak on Tuesday.
Despite the heavy snowfall, forty-six members and partners attended the lunch, which was once again smoothly organised by the club’s Social Secretary, Paula Armstrong.
Club Chairman Fran Wall opened his post-lunch speech by thanking Paula for her work in organising the event and club Treasurer Stuart Smith for organising the raffle for two sumptuous hampers to which club members generously donated.
Fran also thanked all members who either captained teams or organised tournaments during the 2024 season.
Addressing changes that are occurring at the club, Fran told attendees “After many years Nick Reed is standing down from the committee.” He thanked Nick for his contributions and his ‘dry sense of humour.’
Fran announced that club coach Jeff Faulkner has volunteered to stand for a place on the club committee and at the last meeting (held on November 5th), Jeff was co-opted to serve on the committee. Fran said that Jeff will focus on coaching matters and the aim of Jeff and his fellow coach John Guy and although a coaching scheme is at the planning stage, the aim will be to expand coaching to include those members who are playing at a competitive level.
Fran also revealed that Gill Richardson also intends stepping down from the club committee at the next Annual General Meeting, as well as her duties involving keeping the clubhouse stocked with tea, coffee, biscuits and sundries. Fran told attendees that Jackie Guy has now volunteered to take over Gill’s duties. Fran indicated that another female committee member would be very welcome. Any member interested in taking up a committee seat should approach Fran.
Fran also revealed that a working party led by Jon Carrington which will aim to clear the main clubhouse room (including the kitchen) in order to effect urgently needed repairs and replacements to failing floorboards.
The club chairman also highlighted the establishment of a club library of coaching croquet books, organised by Stuart Smith.
During his address, Fran made a plea for members to limit the use of club email addresses to croquet matters only. (The club committee are keen to comply with Data Protection guidelines).
Fran reminded members that John Steel’s winter breakfasts would be continuing until the new season commences, with the next one being held on December 10th at The Bell, Lower Broadheath. (Contact John Steel directly if you wish to attend. HIGHLY recommended).
Fran also said that Paula Armstrong is currently making arrangements for a pub social event to be held in February. (Paula will be in touch with details later).
Fran also announced that a coaching seminar is intended to be run by Jeff Faulkner in the New Year. (Watch your emails for the date).
It was also revealed that Broadwas will in the 2025 season be entering a new team in the South West Federation GC Level Play League, while a level play team will continue to compete in the West Midlands League. In addition, the club will next season host not only a C and B-Level GC competition heat, but will also host for the first time, a newly formed D-Level competition. Players with a handicap of ten or above will be eligible to play in this competition. Club members may be interested in entering this new competition. Fran said that hosting these annual competitions not only raises the national profile of Broadwas Croquet Club, but also brings money into the club.
Fran said “There’s a lot to look forward to next year as the club develops. I would like to thank everyone who helps (at the club). Many hands make light work.”
Fran went on to give specific thanks to Chris Croft, who you will all know has decided to end his long run as the master of Friday roll-ups. Fran said “He is the first person to greet us on a Friday afternoon, smiling, welcoming us by name and shaking hands. Each week he sends out an email reminding us of the roll-up and teasing us with the possibility of a ‘champagne moment.’”
Fran thanked both Chris and Glenys Croft for their sterling work in providing their much-loved cakes for Friday roll-up enthusiasts. This year, Chris and Glenys raised £437.50 for MacMillan Cancer Support.
The mood of Fran’s address suddenly went dark when he announced that a certain club member had been nominated for the South West Federation’s Volunteer of the Year award to be announced at the SWF AGM on Sunday, at which he is a voting representative of the club. The poor, unsuspecting fool was at least, forewarned, I can double up on my heart pills beforehand. Thank you.
At the conclusion of Fran’s address, Jim Norris thanked everyone at the club for their companionship and friendliness. Jim is planning to move to London in the New Year (to me, he may as well have said “I’m abandoning you.”)
Jim said “Somebody said to me when I joined this club, ‘there are no strangers – just friends you’ve yet to meet.” Best of luck Jim.
Club Captain John Guy became master of ceremonies as the season’s awards were presented.
John told the audience that a total of 28 club members had played competitively against other clubs during the 2024 season and 24 members had played competitively in internal club competitions. John said “Overall, fifty two members played competitive croquet, which I think is a very good number.”
The first player to receive a cup – the runner-up trophy in the High Bisquers GC Tournament – was Gill Brooks.
The winner of the High Bisquers GC Tournament was Vivien Ellis.
The winner of the Ryland Trophy was Stuart Smith, who beat Billy Cooke in the final.
The runner-up in the club’s Veteran’s Trophy competition was Dave Holt.
Veteran Trophy winner, Chris Croft was congratulated by Fran Wall.
The John Barber Doubles Trophy runners-up were Pauline Watson (not present) and David Kaner.
The winners of the Barber Doubles Trophy were Gerry Stevens and John Guy.
After John received the trophy with Gerry, he then made a public apology. As reported earlier in the year, at the end of the day’s play, John (who organised the competition) admitted that he’d made an error in scoring during the afternoon which meant that Jackie Guy and Hazel Felton were denied a place in the semi-final of the tournament. To make amends, John presented a personal gift of inscribed glasses to both Jackie and Hazel. A great gesture.
The final of the Open Golf Croquet Advantage Competition – which extended the whole season – still hasn’t been played. That match will be played near the opening of the 2025 season between finalists Mary Dryden and Jon Carrington.
The winner of the 2023 Open Golf Croquet Advantage Handicap Plate was Brian Humphreys.
Meanwhile, the winner of the 2024 Open Golf Croquet Advantage Competition Plate was Another Bloke.
In the club’s blocks competition, the net index change winner was Peter Hill. Jim Dryden (not present at the lunch) was runner-up.
For most net won games in the blocks, runner-up was Keith Parsons.
For most net won games in the blocks was Stuart Smith.
The Broadwas B-Level competition trophy was won by Billy Cooke, who wasn’t present at the lunch. Jeff Faulkner was runner-up in the competition. Jeff also organises the annual B and C-Level GC competitions.
Jon Carrington was presented with the Bury A-Level tournament trophy.
Fran Wall won the B-Level trophy at Bury.
Winner of both the Chester and Woking C-Level competitions was Billy Cooke.
John Guy made special mention of Howard Freeman who reached the final of the All England Golf Croquet Handicap tournament.
Meanwhile, Fran Wall played in the B-Level national final and won the plate competition. John joked “We’ve got nothing to present him with because the prize was liquid and he drank it!”
Then Stuart Smith, as captain of the Broadwas team which was runner-up in Telč, Czechia, during the European GC tournament re-received mementos given by various teams at the tournament.
During the 2024 season Broadwas did exceptionally well in AC, the team being led by John Guy, The West Midland Association Croquet League trophy was presented to him by Fran.
Broadwas also reigned supreme in the West Midlands Golf Croquet Level Play League. John said the team ‘stormed’ the tournament. Captain Jon Carrington was presented with the trophy.
The presentations ended with a surprise. Unknown to Stuart Smith, he had been nominated and accepted for a Croquet England Diploma for Services to Croquet.
John said that on joining the club in 2008, and having had some experience of playing croquet in his formative years, it became quickly apparent that Stuart would become a very good player and rapidly rose to become Club Captain. “As well as continually improving his own game, Stuart actively encouraged individual club members to expand their horizons by entering national events.”
John said Stuart encouraged the club to enter competitions run by federations as well as compete in national championships.
“Spurred on by Stuart, the club won a national trophy – The Murphy Shield – in the first two years of its existence.” Stuart also took the club on to win the West Midlands Golf Croquet League seven times in its first eight years of entering. None of this would have happened without Stuart’s captaincy.”
“After four years of captaincy, Stuart took on the role of chairman and helped take increase the capacity to five lawns, with a membership of about 80. He helped to organise many events, both social and croquet related, where his tact and diplomacy were put to good use.” John said Stuart only relinquished the chairmanship in 2023. He added that Stuarts accountancy skills were invaluable in his role as club treasurer.
John said that behind the scenes, Stuart organises club fixtures against other clubs, organises and works on mowing teams as well as continuing as club Treasurer and committee member.
“Stuart has worked tirelessly to improve the running of Broadwas Croquet Club, using good management practice, as well as helping to extend the playing boundaries of club members – so much so that Broadwas were one of the English teams playing in Europe this summer. Roll on, the World Cup!”
On receiving the award, Stuart said he hadn’t ‘a clue’ that he was to be presented with an award.
He thanked everyone for his nomination. Modestly, he said “When I have done something, it’s been the rest of you, pulling together and doing so much to make this club so great. Thank you very much indeed.”
The afternoon ended with the raffle draw. This year, two magnificent food hampers were the main prize. The lucky winners were John Kingsley and Barry Kirby.
Organised by Stuart, the raffle raised £540.
Thanks to everyone who generously donated to the raffle, bought tickets and supported the event. And a big thanks to Paula Armstrong for organising the event, and to staff at the Royal Oak.
And Finally….
Thanks to everyone who gave their scraps at the end of the meal to Hazel, for our three-legged wonder, Cleo. She got three meals out of it!
Paul Felton