In the 2000s, as many of our longer-standing members will remember, Jim Bartlett was a prominent Committee member, regularly seen on court with his daughter Katherine.
After leaving our club, Jim saved Goring Bowls Club from development into flats, and helped to re-launch it 4 years ago as the Goring Gap Croquet & Bowls Club. With two small courts (roughly 2/3 & 1/2 size), it now has over 40 croquet-playing members, playing GC only.
Last Wednesday’s Friendly, played at Goring, was their first ever match against another club. Our team comprised the 3 pairings of Peter Allan & Avril Rangoni-Machiavelli, Philippa Turner & Jeff Drummond-Hay, and David Long & David Weston.
Many of the games were very tight: Peter and Avril won all 3 of theirs but, while Philippa & Jeff also got a win, the two Davids lost all 3. Their last game proved decisive: with other games all finished and the match score 4-4, it was fittingly Jim – with a jump-shot on the golden hoop – who won the match for the home team.
The sun was shining, however, and the tea was tasty. The real winner was croquet and the friendly rivalry with which it was played: a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon for all concerned. We look forward to our return fixture in September.
