Calling in the professionals
Please give a very warm welcome to Blewbury’s new captain of croquet, Andrew Petit.
It’s a huge change from his previous day job as a Church of England vicar. Next week the former vicar of the parishes of Cholsey and Moulsford starts the vital task of setting up the club’s 2026 fixture list. Not only will Andrew tell you where and when to play but he’ll also offer spiritual guidance to those who are out of form!
He will have the invaluable assistance of Bruce Gibson, who is to continue his role as tournament secretary for the Croquet England competitions which Blewbury stages.
Also stepping up to the committee this week was Jackie Bryant, who has taken over the clubhouse cleaning organisation as well as merchandising responsibilities. I can guarantee you’ll be hearing from her on both these matters!
Now, with a former general practitioner and a former vicar on the committee, you can be assured that the club has you covered on medical as well as pastoral issues.
The other major appointment at this week’s committee meeting was my taking over as newsletter and communications officer from the late Minty Clinch as notified in The footsteps of giants.
As mentioned in that piece, the committee are keen for all members to contribute by posting their own reports and pictures. That would save me some work, and I promise that this will be the last time I will write about Dave Dibben in the third person.
And for those who haven’t read it yet, here’s a link to the excellent eulogy at Minty’s funeral service
Another important role was filled this week when Philippa Turner kindly offered to take the lead on catering duties at Blewbury events. She will be keen to recruit volunteers for her rota, so please give that some consideration.
2026 and all that
Members who have been kept off the courts recently by sub-zero temperatures and biblical deluges can take comfort from the fact that planning for 2026 is well underway. The playing season is scheduled to kick off some time in March with the Hi-Lo Doubles, which have been deferred from the autumn.
We intend to field a team in the SCF Doubles League next season — two doubles pairs in a side — so there’s your chance to hone your skills alongside a partner.
Next up will be the Roger Cambray Memorial Shield on Easter Monday, April 6th. That’s our heat of the national charity one-ball competition.
Following that — on April 18th — will be the first of the CqE-listed events, a GC Open one-day tournament.
We should not be short of referees at these tournaments because both Andy Jones and Ruth Raunkiaer (left) have offered their services. Both the Phyllis Court players will also make themselves available for GC coaching and Andy has qualified as a tournament manager.
Before all that there will be another winter social at the Red Lion, including our ever-popular quiz. Watch this space for confirmation of the date, almost certainly in January.
Did you find boring boring?
If so, I’m afraid your croquet is about to be accompanied by noise from a new set of operatives.
Following the installation of a borehole pump 24 metres below the level of our courts, Avonmore will shortly be moving in to set up our new irrigation system. See club secretary David Long’s report “We’ve struck water“
What he didn’t say was that this work on making our lawns the best in the south is extremely expensive. A couple of big loans have made this possible and any more financial contributions, however small, would of course be most welcome.
It is hoped that the rest of the work will not disturb play; in the meantime, usual winter rules apply. Please use common sense of whether the courts are too wet or frosty and, if any doubt, lock up and go home!
And if you do get on the lawn….NO JUMPING! As,ever, a heads-up will be issued in the spring as soon as it is considered that jump shots won’t harm our precious turf.