Members enjoyed the first “Steely Breafast” of the winter at The Bell Inn on Tuesday.
Broadwas Croquet Club members enjoyed the first winter breakfast of the close season on Tuesday.
Organised by club president John Steel, the “Steely Breakfast” was hosted at The Bell Inn, Lower Broadheath, by Lyndsey and Ian Allen, who also recently welcomed club members at short notice for our annual awards lunch.
Ten players once again enjoyed the Inn’s fine early-morning fayre and embraced the opportunity to catch up with other club members and discuss the forthcoming season (not THAT far away…or is that wishful thinking?).
The breakfasts have been very popular over the past few years and provide members with a valuable way of keeping in touch face-to-face during the bleak months without croquet.
The next club breakfast will be held on Tuesday 13th January. If you would like to meet up with your croquet colleagues over great food, contact John Steel directly by email.
Some of the trophies awaiting distribution to winners at the club’s annual awards lunch.
The club held its 2025 awards lunch at The Bell Inn, Lower Broadheath on Tuesday.
Wonderfully organised by the club’s Social Secretary Paula Armstrong, the event attracted 48 members who enjoyed a two-course lunch in the Bell’s largest dining room. The hampers which were up for raffle, were crammed with high quality goods generously donated by club members. Stuart Smith said that the raffle had raised an estimated £400 for the club.
The club’s Social Secretary Paula Armstrong organised the club’s annual awards lunch at The Bell.
The hampers up for the raffle at the club’s annual awards lunch. Items included in the hampers were generously donated by club members.
Addressing attendees, Club Chair Fran Wall said ‘This lunch is a celebration of our great successes this year. First are our successes in external competitions. We had four major wins and two second positions as well as our “pièce de résistance” – playing in the European Golf Croquet final – truly outstanding achievements and unprecedented at Broadwas. What fantastic results.”
Club chair Fran Wall addressed members at the annual awards lunch.
Fran said he felt that a factor that must have contributed to the success of the club was down to the influence of the club’s coaches and team captains. He said The coaching seminar last winter was a first and raised the bar, with the coaches continuing with targeted guidance, instruction and practice, practice, practice.’ Fran drew the attention of member to the coaching seminar being held at Broadwas Village Hall on February 24th in the new year.
Attendees at the club’s annual awards lunch at The Bell Inn, Lower Broadheath.
Fran also spoke about the prospect of a £20,000 grant from Malvern Hills District Council. Although not yet confirmed, the money would help in obtaining a new mower as well as two new secure containers to house equipment and workshop. Fran thanked John Steele and Stuart Smith for their work in securing the grant.
Fran thanked everyone who works behind the scenes at the club including the white-lining and mowing teams as well as the members who clean the pavilion and Jackie Guy who stocks the clubhouse with refreshments. He also thanked those who run internal competitions and the coaches, team captains and committee members. Fran gave special thanks to Paula for organising the lunch and raffle and to The Bell for accommodating the event at short notice.
Fran encouraged members to volunteer to help around the club. He said ‘There are many things to do, either as part of a team or individually. Help is always appreciated with making cakes for roll-ups, joining a mowing team once a month, helping the cleaning team or joining a mowing team or the committee. The club has an equal number of males and females, but the females are woefully underrepresented on the committee. So ladies, if you want to rebalance this, please consider volunteering. We need you. If you feel you could help with any of these tasks or join the committee speak to me, John Guy, Paula or anyone on the committee.’
Before announcing award winners, Club Captain John Guy said ‘Thirty of you represented the club playing in League matches this year, and a further 14 were involved in internal competitions so all together 44 of you were competing for trophies. I would like to add my congratulations to every who played in these events this year.’
The award winners are pictured below, but John gave special mention to Jeff Faulkner, who came third in the B-Level GC tournament at Broadwas and to David Harington and Peter Hill, who both qualified for and played in the All England GC semi-finals at Bath.
This year, the club has introduced three new trophies.
The trophy for the first ever club AC Player Of The Year was awarded to Ian Dampney.
The club’s first AC player of the year, Ian Dampney.
The trophy for the GC Player Of The Year was awarded to Malcolm Armstrong.
The club’s first recipient of the GC Player of the Year trophy is Malcolm Armstrong, pictured being congratulated by Fran Wall.
A special award made this year for the first time is the club’s “Extra Mile Award.” Potential recipients were nominated and voted on by club members. Malcolm Armstrong, who proposed the introduction of the award told attendees ‘The award celebrates, recognises and values the culture of our croquet community.’
Committee member Malcolm Armstrong announced the introduction of the club’s new “Extra Mile” award.
Announcing the award winners, Fran said that citations from members outlined that the winners Barry Kirby and Jim Dryden (a pair Fran nicknamed The Night Sprinklers) worked day and night to provide us with well-watered lawns throughout the long hot summers. Others stated that Jim and Barry “come and go without so much as a grumble” while another said that ‘Without them, the lawns would have been in a dreadful state.’ It was noted that the lawns had been admired by the members of visiting clubs.
Winners of the club’s new “Extra Mile” award – Jim Dryden and Barry Kirby.
Well done to Paula for arranging the awards lunch and congratulations to all the winners who worked hard all through the 2025 season.
And personal thanks for the special ‘press’ award given to the Other Bloke, for going to Brighton to cover the European Club final. It’s the first time he’s ever been described as a ‘groupie.’ (Obviously that came from John Guy!).
High Bisquers Handicap winner Alison Disley, pictured with runner-up, Gerry Stevens.
Veteran’s Trophy winner Eileen Holt is pictured with runner-up Roger Wood and chair Fran Wall. Barber Doubles winners Diana Hill and John Guy are pictured with runners-up, Vivien Ellis and Stuart Smith.
The 2025 season began with the final of the 2024 Open GC Advantage Handicap tournament. Winner Jon Carrington is pictured with runner-up Mary Dryden and Fran Wall.
The 2025 winner of the Open GC Advantage Handicap tournament was Billy Cooke, pictured with runner-up, Jim Dryden.
The 2025 Open GC Advantage Handicap Plate winner, Mary Dryden, is pictured with runner-up, Malcolm Armstrong.
Roger Wood – he won most net games in the club’s blocks competition. Runner-up was Barry Kirby.
Ian Lambert – he took the prize for the biggest index change in the blocks competition. Runner-up was Roger Wood.
the 5+ Level play GC squad, which won their division and were runners-up in the whole South West region. The club’s High Handicap GC team won their division and were runners-up in the whole South West region. The club’s West Midlands AC team won their league for the fifth time in the last seven seasons. John Guy, Ian Lambert, David Kaner and Stuart Smith. (Ian Dampney not pictured).The club’s “European Adventurers” – Stuart Smith, Ian Dampney (not pictured), Billy Nicholson, Jon Carrington and Billy Cooke. The team won a heat of the European Club Team GC championship in Sudwest, Germany early in the summer and then played in the final at Brighton. The West Midlands GC team. The club won the their league for the 10th time in the last 14 seasons.
The club’s level play Blocks Competition has once again produced some interestingstatistics.
Introduced to the club by club coach Jeff Faulkner in 2020, the popular season-long tournament attracted 33 participating players this year.
Those players took part in a total of 173 matches, the third highest number of matches in its six-year history. This year saw the competition pass the 1000th match milestone – a total of 1059 matches played since 2000.
The player with the most wins in the competition in 2025 was Roger Wood, with 13 wins to his credit.
Roger Wood – he scored most wins during the 2025 Broadwas blocks tournament.
Barry Kirby was runner-up with 9 wins, followed by Peter Hill and Ian Lambert with 7 wins each and Gill Brooks and Jon Carrington on 6 wins each.
But the Most Improved Player in 2025 is a player who has to cross two county borders in order to play at Broadwas.
Ian Lambert – pictured in 2018 as part of the Broadwas High Handicap team which won the South West Federation High Handicap competition.
Ian Lambert, who lives in Ludlow, improved his index by an incredible 150 points throughout the season, with Roger Wood as runner-up, improving his index by an impressive 110 points.
Barry Kirby was third in the improvers table, increasing his index by 68 points, followed by Billy Cooke on 66, Howard Freeman on 62 and Mary Dryden on 60.
The full tables can be found below.
Many thanks to Jeff for once again running this popular tournament.
When it comes to raising money for good causes, you can always rely on Broadwas Croquet Club members to step up to the plate – in this case, quite literally.
We are, of course, speaking of cake plates since the club has just received thanks from the British Heart Foundation for the donation of £356.00 raised from the sale of cakes in the clubhouse at Friday roll-ups.
Organised (and chiefly baked) by Mary Dryden, the weekly array of sumptuous cakes has not only fuelled inspired much post-teatime hooping but has helped generously boost the funds of the charity.
Thanking the club for its donation, Caroline Finnis, Director of the BHF’s Customer Service and Experience said ‘Thank you so much for the recent gift of £356.00 raised from doing 24 weeks of ‘Friday Cakes’ to the British Heart Foundation.
With people like you at our side, we are taking huge steps towards healthier hearts and keeping people with their loved ones for longer. Put simply, without your generosity we just could not sustain our life-saving work.
I’m proud to say that the money you give helps us to support pioneering research and deliver life-saving care to the people who need it most.
Your kindness gives us hope for a future without heart disease – and the confidence that we can be there for those whose lives are affected by it now.’
Well done and thank you to Mary for continuing the charity-driven cake sales at the end-of-week roll-ups and many thanks to members who have uncomplainingly munched their way through the mounds of cakes and flapjacks provided by Mary and other contributors during the season.
As many will be aware, we recently lost Geoff Winkworth, Chair of the Broadwas Sports Association.
A Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for Geoff’s life was held at St Mary Magdalene Church, Broadwas on Friday 10th October, officiated by Reverend Jennifer Whittaker. A fire engine and six fire officers attended the funeral, as well as former colleagues, to pay their respects to Geoff, a former high ranking fire officer.
Fellow BSA committee member and good friend of Geoff, Chris Croft, writes below on the life and passing of Geoff.
Geoff receiving his MBE from Queen Elizabeth. (Photo: Courtesy of Keith Brooks)
‘Geoff left the police force to join the Fire Service in 1963, rising over 40 years to Regional Commander. He then ran the Midland Regional Fire Training School before leaving to pass on his considerable knowledge and experience to various third world countries.
Geoff lived in Broadwas (Broad Green) for about 25 years and had always fully immersed himself in local village life.
Geoff chaired the local Parish Council and the Village Hall Management Committee where he introduced a thriving Table Tennis group. He was a staunch member of his local Worcester Probus Club acting as Chair, Treasurer and Programme Secretary.
Geoff was, until he became ill recently, a very able and experienced Chair of Broadwas Sports Association, with strong, hands-on links to John Barber in the Club’s early years.
Geoff always had a keen interest in all things electro-mechanical. He had many interests. He loved sailing and, as a keen beekeeper, kept at least a dozen beehives.
Geoff was a modest man and talked little about being a Fire Executive or about his BSc. He rarely mentioned receiving his MBE from our late Queen Elizabeth.
In summary, Geoff was a modest, charming, understated, family man. He leaves his wife, Pamela and a strong family, all of whom are, understandably, proud of Geoff’s considerable achievements.’
The Broadwas team’s appearance in the finals of the Golf Croquet European Club Tournament at the weekend crowned a highly successful season for the club’s competitive teams.
Captained by Stuart Smith, Jon Carrington, Billy Nicholson, Ian Dampney and Billy Cooke very much held their own against some of the finest golf croquet players in Europe.
In May, the team won the Kohlhof, Germany, heat of the Europe-wide tournament.
After two days of intense and determined croquet from the Broadwas team in Germany, Billy Nicholson hooped his pink on the evening of the final day to clinch the title with his 7-5 win over Guenter Steiner of the 1st Croquet Club Südwest, the hosts of the competition.
It wasn’t all plain sailing in the German heat. Late into the afternoon of the second day, play had to be abandoned after a cyclone hit the lawns of the Kohlhof club and play had to be resumed very early on the Sunday morning.
On the way to their victory in Germany, Broadwas beat the Spanish side of Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, by six games to four and the Czech side from the Czech Country Croquet Club, with an impressive eight games to two scoreline.
After three intensive days of play in the finals at the Sussex County Croquet Club in Brighton at the weekend, Broadwas grabbed ‘bronze’ in the Plate competition after they scored a magnificent win against Real Club de Golf Novo Cancti Petre (RCGNSP). Broadwas beat the Spanish team by five games to one, with singles wins by Jon Carrington, Stuart Smith and Billy Cooke, while the doubles partnerships of Jon and Stuart and Ian and Billy pretty much demolished any chance of the Cadiz side grabbing a draw.
The full results of the Broadwas tournament games are below.
It’s all over, but the team isn’t empty-handed, rewarding a pretty solid performance overall, taking third place in the Plate. The Latvian side from Ikskile won the Plate. As expected, Roehampton won the competition overall.
Stuart Smith just told me ‘We’ve finished and everyone has done well at times.’
‘We finally won a match against a Spanish side 5-1, having lost to the all-girls team at the start of the day 2-4.’
‘We rounded off losing to Ikskile (the Latvian team), 2-4.’
‘Jon’s final game was when he beat the Latvian ice-maiden that had broken Broadwas hearts in the doubles,’ he joked.
‘Overall one win, three draws and four losses but no whitewashes. Our draws included against Balgreen the runners-up and Vigo who came 4th.’
‘Thanks to all the members for their support back home.’
1.30pm
Jon Carrington has confirmed that Broadwas have beaten RCGNSP, 5-1. Well done!
1.21pm
Billy Nicholson has just told me that with just one doubles game to complete, Broadwas are 4-1 up in the match against Real Club de Golf Novo Sancti Peri.
12.50pm
Billy Nicholson has just said that Broadwas are currently 3-1 up in their current match, with wins for Jon, Stuart and Billy Cooke.
More to follow.
11.10am
Not great news from Brighton. (Billy Nicholson just confirmed that have gone down 2-4 in the Plate competition against the Spanish team, Real Club de Golf Vista Hermosa).
The only Broadwas winner in the singles round this morning was captain Stuart Smith, who beat Beatriz Marquinez, 7-6. (Scores below).
Stuart clinched the win against Real Club de Golf Vista Hermosa yesterday, with this jump shot at the 13th hoop.
Broadwas ended the second day of the European Club League GC finals at Brighton yesterday, with a creditable three draws in the bag overall.
At the end of play in Block A, pitted against the tournament favourites Roehampton, Broadwas earned well-earned draws from some formidable teams – the Scots of Balgreen and the Spanish teams of Club de Campo de Vigo and Real Club de Golf Novo Sancti Petri.
Billy scores the winning hoop against Celestino Montenegro.
Only the favourites Roehampton and Phyllis Court were able to beat Broadwas.
Today, our team competes in the tournament’s Plate competition. Yesterday, Broadwas began their match against the all-female team from Real Club de Golf Vista Hermosa (RCGVH) in the doubles. The match will resume this morning with the singles round.
Captain Stuart Smith announces which team Broadwas will face in the first match of the Plate competition.
At the end of Saturday afternoon it was one-all in the match after Stuart Smith, partnering Jon Carrington, snatched a 7-6 win at the 13th hoop with a difficult close jump shot against Begona Gomez and Teresa Martin, while Billy Nicholson and Ian Dampney went down 7-2 to the phenomenal Beatriz Marquinez and Ana Mejias.
A vigorous clearing shot from Jon, witrh his red.Ian attempts a jump during his singles game against Salvador de SasA long hoop from Stuart with his BrownJon and Stuart watch the progress of Jon’s hooped shot towards hoop 6.Billy jumps his brown during his game against CCV.Ian hoops yellow during yesterday’s singles game against CCVStill thinking strategy…Stuart while waiting for the double-banked game to proceed, yesterday afternoon. Jon’s shot during his win against CCV’s Angel Nunez receives close scrutiny. Billy receives the great news that he’s sitting the next match out…well, it WAS quite chilly yesterday afternoon. Ian’s impressive clearance of the pink from the jaws with his green during yesterday’s Plate doubles game. Billy receives a critical eye from…Billy.An incredible shot from the Spanish team in the Plate match, jumping over the Broadwas blue and black from a distance to score with red.Congratulations from Billy after his and Ian’s defeat at the hands of Beatriz Marquinez and Ana Mejias.A relaxed moment at the end of yesterday’s Plate doubles. The competition has been played in great spirit.
News will be updated during the day by the Broadwas players, so refresh your browsers from this page for the latest news.
Best of luck Broadwas!
Paul Felton
The final Block A tables.Results against RoehamptonThe Balgreen results. The Broadwas v CCV results.Broadwas v Phyllis Court
In the final round of the day, Broadwas just won one of the doubles in the plate competition against the all-female team from Spain, Real Club de Golf Vista Hermosa. Stuart and Jon had a tough game, winning 7-6 after Stuart’s close-range jump shot at the thirteenth hoop.
More updates and pictures from today’s action, tomorrow.
3.30pm
Broadwas have now completed the blocks round of the European GC League tournament with a very creditable three draws and two losses to a pretty formidable line up of European and UK teams.
Broadwas ended the fifth round of the groups with wins from Billy Nicholson and Jon Carrington after Jon and Stuart won in the doubles, giving them a draw against Club de Campo de Vigo (Spain).
The team is now playing in the plate competition.
More to come.
Update 2.05pm
Broadwas have just won one of the doubles against the Spanish side Club de Campo de Vigo. Jon and Stuart won 7-6.
The singles are now in progress.
Stuart scores the winning hoop.Ian in action during the last Block A match of the afternoonFinely balanced.Jon hoops pink during his win with Stuart against the Spanish side. Found it! Jon’s mallet went a-wandering during the morning. Billy came to the rescue!Stuart attempts a jump.Difficult to read what Stuart’s reaction was here. Billy hoops his yellow.
Broadwas have just won one of the doubles against the Spanish side Club de Campo de Vigo. Jon and Stuart won 7-6.
The singles are now in progress.
Moe to come
Ian Dampney’s winning hoop in the first round of singles against Phyllis Court.
Morning All
Well I got up Brighton early this morning to be here for the second day of the European GC League finals.
Billy hoops during his partnership with Jon.
The doubles are currently in progress.
There has been some success against Phyllis Court. Ian Dampney won 7-6 in a tight game against Rick Lilley.
Jon in action during his doubles partnership with Billy Cooke.Billy Nicholson in action against Phyllis Court.Stuart sits out, planning tactics. Ian and Billy during their partnership in the first match of the morning against Phyllis Court. Ian jumps his green during his partnership with Billy Nicholson.
More to come later. Just refresh your browser or click the news link on the club website’s opening page.
The first day of play ended for Broadwas with a well-earned 3-3 draw against the Spanish side Real Club de Golf Novo Sancti Petri (RCGNSP). Although Broadwas lost out in the doubles, Ian, Billy Cooke and Stuart won their singles to make the match score 3-3.
4.25pm
The Broadwas boys have been quite for a while. Maybe they’re indulging in afternoon tea and cakes?
According to my calculations (and I need to remind you that maths isn’t my forte), Broadwas should currently be playing Real Club de Golf Novo Sancti Petri (RCGNSP).
3.34pm
The scores from the 3-3 draw with Balgreen.
The details of the 3-3 draw with Balgreen.
3.50pm
Ian Dampney reports that the doubles against the Scots of Balgreen has now finished.
Ian said ‘Stuart and Jon lost 7- 3, while the two Billies won their match, 7 -2.
Match drawn 3- 3.
Now for a win!!’
3.25pm
The Block A table after this morning’s first round.
The Block A table after the first round.
3.10pm
Ian Dampney reports that all is not well with the organisers at Brighton. He said The first doubles pairings took 45 of their 75 allocation and have only just run hoop 2. The second doubles due to play behind them has been moved to another lawn. The tournament director does not look happy.
2.15pm
It’s 2-2 with Balgreen after the singles. The doubles are currently in progress. There appears to be major delays in play proceeding.
1.45pm
Ian Dampney is now our roving reporter.
“Weather overcast but no rain forecast. All 4 singles just started. Stuart taking 10mins on first hoop only to lose it, Billy N missing a jump shot but scoring it with his next jump shot, Jon 3-1 up, and Billy 3-2 up. (Pictures from the singles against Balgreen courtesy of Ian Dampney).
Positive feelings at present but early days.
12.05pm
Well, Broadwas began the finals competition against the tournament favourites, Roehampton, so it was a tough start to the day.
Jon Carrington has just informed me that Broadwas has lost their match against Roehampton.
Billy Cooke lost out to Nick Yates, 2-7, while Ian Dampney narrowly lost to Diana Wilson, 5-7. Stuart Smith was beaten 2-7 by Tim Russell, while Billy Nicholson lost 7-4 to Dan Pearson.
The team is. Is currently preparing to face the Scots from Balgreen.
