Big membership surge is imminent
The club is getting ready to welcome a huge in influx of new members in the next few days. We could have as many as 33 new players on Blewbury’s membership list very shortly.
Of these 33, five are seen as almost certain to join and another four are very likely to. Another 24 have recently expressed an interest but it’s unlikely that more than three or four of them will actually sign up.
The newsletter has no “Meet The Newbies” feature this month because no names are being divulged until we’ve got their money. But my spies tell me that one of them is a Phyllis Court member who won a national title last year.
The sudden rush to join Blewbury right now could have everything to do with the fact that an October signing gets you 18 months’ membership whereas if you had paid up in September you would only have obtained six months’ croquet for your money.
The upside of this sudden membership surge is that a significant chunk of our annual deficit will be wiped out.
But there’s a downside to this sizeable increase on our current membership of 54. As club secretary David Long points out: “If we attract many more than that we could create unacceptable contention on our lawns, especially during GC roll-ups.”
Planning for the annual meeting
Here’s an early shout-out for Blewbury’s annual general meeting, which will be held at the Melland Room on Wednesday, November 25th, with a 4.30pm start.
It’s your chance to vote on proposals for the coming year’s subscription levels for all categories of membership.
Another of the highlights will be voting for the coveted ‘Club Member of the Year’ award. Look out for details of nominations.
Feeding the five thousand…
…well, Blewbury’s catering supremo Philippa Turner didn’t feed quite that many during the last weekend of August… but it probably felt like it!
Philippa’s astonishing treble shift of volunteering made sure that all the hungry AC players at the CqE’s Super B tournament were very well watered and fed over two days.
Then she did it all again on the Bank Holiday Monday to satisfy the inner man at the club’s highly successful Fun Day.
Unlike Jesus — according to Saint John’s gospel — Philippa (left) had to cater for the ladies as well as the men.
Her gargantuan efforts realised the club a profit of more than £300 for that weekend.
Philippa — and all your cooks and helpers — the club salutes you!
SOS: Save Our Sammie!
Unfounded rumours have been circulating about a possible ban for one of Boham’s Road’s most popular ‘members’.
The club’s committee were wrongly said to have been discussing a suggestion that dogs should not be allowed at croquet clubs.
This of course would include David Grinstead’s loveable black lab Sammie (pictured), everyone’s favourite four-legged friend.
One long-standing lady member immediately proclaimed: “If Sammie goes, I go. I would resign my membership.”
The issue arose from a CqE tournament at Blewbury when a player’s recalcitrant mutt spooked another competitor and had to be removed from the premises.
But… fear not! Blewbury’s committee will shortly be producing a statement making clear the club’s policy on canines.
I’m assured that any sanctions will only apply to CqE tournaments and that Sammie will always be welcome.
GC friendlies: What’s not to like!
Well done to Blewbury’s GC friendly team for scoring a couple of thumping victories last month.
Rosemary Balsdon’s troops defied first the heatwave and then a soaking to chalk up big wins at Harwell and Abingdon.
“I think we all had fun,” said Rosemary (right). “We didn’t get too hot or too wet and we had a very nice tea at both. What’s not to like?”
Her next task will be to squeeze in dates for home friendlies into what is sure to be a crowded 2027 calendar.
Every picture tells a story
I make no apology for repeating an image which has already been on our website. Share again the joy of the happy faces of Brian and Carol Jamieson, Ruth Raunkiaer and Andy Jones as they savour their win in the SCF GC doubles final.
And consider the kindness of the Eynsham player who took the snap shortly after their team had been thrashed by our heroes.
Compare that to what happened after the SWF Short Croquet final a couple of days before. Here’s Blewbury’s Andrew Petit, Peter Allan and Andy Evason lining up at the trophy presentation.
Surely no one could be so mean-spirited as to crop out all the Glamorgan team showing off the cup? I’m afraid I’ll have to plead guilty to that.
There was consolation for Peter Allan a day later when he clinched Short Croquet’s Kay Memorial Trophy. Congratulations also to David Long for winning the Icknield Cup and to Andy Evason for taking the GC Championship.
Dates for your diaries
October 4th: Start of the experimental Sunday roll-ups for both AC and GC (1.30pm-4pm). Also on October 11th. Don’t forget to sign up via the calendar.
October 7th: The Advantage League play-off final, in which Blewbury C are at home to the winners of the East Dorset v Eynsham semi. I’m sure Andy Evason’s team would appreciate some support.
October 12th: Courts closed for annual maintenance. At the moment only two weeks projected — keep an eye on the calendar.