After pile-driving through a rocky chalk layer, we struck water 6m down below our courts. Having continued a further 18m below that, to install a pump that should still be well-covered even in severe droughts, the borehole team are now tidying up and making way for our replacement irrigation system to be installed over coming weeks. We’re very grateful to Croquet England for the £5k grant we’ve gained towards this work, and even more so to those members who’ve provided donations or loans to supplement the Kay bequest and make this all possible. We hope that our courts will remain playable throughout the remaining irrigation works, though there may be some disruption while trenches are being dug… and when the new system is being tested! Please bear with us.
It is with great sadness that I have taken over from the late, great Minty Clinch as the club’s communications officer.
Following a suggestion in committee last year Minty and I agreed that I would one day succeed her in the job; both of us were hoping that it would be several years down the line.
Minty loved the role — which she performed in her own inimitable style — and she will be an extremely hard act to follow.
I’m afraid you will have to get used to a red-top sports hack as a poor replacement as a ‘legend in her own lunchtime’ writer on travel, skiing and just about everything else.
And I have to admit to being something of a one-trick pony croquet-wise… I play only GC and no AC, one-ball, short croquet or any of the other codes.
So here’s a plea to all members — and particularly those who I wouldn’t normally meet on the courts — to send all your news and results through to me.
We have been a bit thin on updates since Minty’s passing so I will try to keep you up to speed with what’s going on at the club. Better still, post your own reports!
Minty’s Funeral took place in the beautiful church of St Mary’s Uffington.
Adam Ruck provided us with a copy of his eulogy which is reproduced below.
Minty Braham (Clinch) funeral eulogy. St Mary’s Uffington, 28 Nov 2025
Glass half full or half empty? Glass completely full was Minty’s approach to life, and to your glass if she was pouring, probably with overspill onto the table. She grasped the ketchup bottle of life with both hands and squeezed every last drop out of it.
She was certainly a woman of parts. I won’t repeat them all – traveller, competitor at any game going. Hostess, masterchef (‘feed me till I want no more’ and beyond), generous giver of presents, dog lover, setter of cryptic treasure hunt clues that no one could solve.
Dawn informed me the other day that Minty preferred to be known as a journalist rather than writer or travel writer. This was a surprise,because Minty wrote a lot. There were film star biographies – Redford went into paperback – and a novel which was translated into Finnish. I wonder how many here have read much of all that?
I hadn’t, but have been dipping into the novel for clues, of which there are plenty. It’s the story of a woman who breaks free from a stifling conventional upbringing – she was known as Spotty Swotty at school – through her work in freelance journalism. There are some disparaging remarks about The Archers – ‘manufactured crises’ – so it obviously came after Minty submitted a script and had it rejected.
But Minty wasn’t defined by writing. It was something she knew she could do, well and efficiently, and it enabled her to live the life she wanted – visiting interesting places and doing interesting things, with people whose company she enjoyed. She took a remarkably charitable view of the travel press fraternity.
By the time I met her she had moved on from the film world, which was too sedentary for her and, as she said, 9 out of 10 of the screenings she had to sit through were rubbish. My first impression was when we arrived simultaneously at some promotional event at the Ritz. ‘I’m afraid you can’t come in in jeans,’ said the doorman. ‘Would you prefer me to take them off?’ said Minty, without breaking step.
Rules were there not to be obeyed, and she was up for anything. Hiking in the Himalayas, riding with gauchos, dog sledding and polar bears in Svalbard, Mongolia, North Korea, Iran, the more far-flung the better. When she went diving to feed sharks in the Caribbean we wondered which party to that exchange would be the more nervous. Via ferratas and couloir skiing in the Alps held no fear for her and when her favourite mountain guide in Chamonix said ‘there is no crevasse big enough for Minty’ he was referring not to her size but her indomitable spirit.
Minty used to say all Clinches were cursed with a passion for sport and no talent. Never mind, it was her enthusiasm and determination that won her admirers and friends wherever she went.
‘We thought she was indestructible’ was the gist of many messages we have received since she died. She certainly gave self-destruction her best shot, racking up hospital visits in France, Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia. From these setbacks she bounced back, more determined than ever.
I think the most inspiring thing about Minty was the way she adapted, as her favourite activities – riding, skiing, tennis – ceased to be available to her. She threw herself into croquet at Blewbury and in no time took over as lunch provider for the club and columnist for the national magazine. She thought nothing of driving half way across the country to play 6 hours of croquet in the hottest summer on record, and drive back again. She played bridge, kept up her golf until a couple of days before her last fall, and she took up painting and sculpture with some really impressive results.
This being a eulogy, are we allowed to suggest that Minty was not perfect? I suspect she may not have been a model patient, and had confirmation of this when I went to see her in the trauma unit of the JR last month. ‘How are you doing?’ I asked. ‘I’m afraid I’ve been behaving rather badly,’ she replied. ‘Yes she has!’ came a loud voice from the bed opposite. The problem was, she needed to get out in time to lead her family team at the Wantage Art Group Quiz Night, to be followed by the golf day she had arranged for Ravi at Wrag Barn. It was not to be, and she was not happy.
Bad behaviour? Some of you may know the story of Minty’s mother Biddy walking off rather than lose to Minty at croquet. We were reminded of this during a recent game of Happy Families. As Minty’s collection of Brewers and Butchers slipped away, her face darkened, until she threw down her remaining cards in fury: ‘well, Apsara’s obviously going to win.’ I don’t think she ever gave up on Racing Demon, but did she ever lose?
At the wheel of her BMW she got somewhat inaccurate of late, and it gave an added frisson to my bike rides when I knew Minty was out and about. I think only those of us who played golf with her, and had to point out her ball in mid-fairway, knew how bad her eyesight was. But there was no stopping her and woe betide anyone who mentioned the idea of eye tests for the over 70s, a policy initiative she viewed as a personal vendetta and a violation of human rights. She had a few scrapes and was a popular figure at the local bodywork garage, but she slowed down and by some miracle never did anyone, not even herself, physical harm.
According to the last chapter of Minty’s biography of Harrison Ford, every good story has a tranquil beginning, a turbulent middle and a happy end. Minty’s life was certainly a good story. Its beginning doesn’t sound entirely tranquil, but I dare say her marriage to David had its turbulent moments, as for example when he opened the car door into the path of an oncoming Mercedes with the result that Minty lost her licence for drink driving (a ban she cheerfully ignored, using an American licence instead).
As for the end of her story, the last twenty years were indeed happy for Minty who loved her life in this great village and they were happy for us who lived with her and were lucky to share the many friends she made here, her family, and her beloved Alfred.
So with great sadness we say goodbye to the one and only, remarkable Minty: a great spirit, home from the hill. The Minty Clinch – great name, shame about the music.* I can’t improve on the words of her friend Charles, who grows the best sweet peas and keeps us updated with the form of Surrey Lord which he calls Minty’s horse.
After they made her, they broke the mould.
Adam Ruck
Notes Feed me till I want no more and Home from the hill are references to previous items in the service
*a previous speaker mentioned the fact that there was a rock band named after her. She went to one of their gigs in a London pub and introduced herself. They were terrified she was going to sue. She made them give her a CD. It was execrable.
To all of you who did not manage to get to the AGM earlier this week. You missed a treat: the cake baked by David Long for the occasion. I can testify that it tasted as good as it looked.
This year’s AC World Championships are being held in West Palm Beach Florida. Only 72 players – from across the globe – take part. We almost had 3 BCC members there. Robin Brown earned a place but withdrew, Sophie McGlen got on the reserve list, but in the end only Joe King achieved the great honour of being there and representing our club.
The first stage of the competition was played in 8 blocks of 9 competitors. In such august company, Joe struggled but did manage 2 wins; against fellow Brit Stephen Allen, and vs. Jack Rush (USA). There is no shame in losing to the likes of World-ranked #4, Logan McCorkindale (NZ), who has since advanced to the Championships’ semi-finals and now takes on Reg Bamford.
That meant Joe was one of 32 players to enter the Plate competition. Here he enjoyed much greater success, winning all 4 of his block games to reach the knock-out round of 16. Further success, against Australian Michael Gidding, earned Joe a quarter-final place. But his run came to an end there, losing 2 straight games in a best-of-3 against Mexican Brian Lozano.
Well done, Joe. We hope you enjoyed the experience, and wish you – and other eligible Blewburians – even greater success next time!!
With no home lawn time, Blewbury was on the high road to Hurlingham to enjoy one-ball in the most elegant circumstances on the most brilliant day. As the shadows lengthened over the court on which Bunny Fulford beat America’s Matthew Essick to win the AC World title in 2023, Brian and Carol Jamieson locked horns . With six wins out of six, Brian had only to beat his wife to raise the Bingham Bowl. As he went to post the result, he said something along the lines of, “Well played, darling. Now we go home with nothing”. As Carol approached, I started hesitantly. “Maybe just this once you might have…” but I never finished. “I could never do that. It’s not in my DNA”.
Happily it was a truly golden day. On a more distant court, one of the Davids was beating the only Howard, the one result that could beam the silverware back to Brian. As it did; David Long and Carol came joint third with a 75% win rate. I had the same percentage but from less games due to sat nav meltdown, and Sandy Millikin was a winner too..
Pretty good for a Blewbury quintet that made up roughly 20% of a field of 24., And a great Jamieson victory in their last CqE tournament before they leave the committee at the AGM. Their plans for the future? “Play more croquet”. Is that really possible, but don’t say you weren’t warned…
Joe King writes: “In sunny conditions Nottingham B and Blewbury resumed their rivalry after three successive victories to Nottingham in the previous years, each by a 6-5 margin. This time the final was hosted by Cheltenham and play started at 10:30, with 90 minute time limits. Sadly for Blewbury, the scoreline was repeated and Nottingham ran out as deserved winners.
The morning session went to Nottingham; they won two games by +1 on time. Blewbury fought back with three victories to lead at tea. It all depended on the final round.
Nottingham took first blood with Roger Steeper delivering a decisive win over Peter Allan + 11 to level the scores at 4-4. Viv Staley controlled her game against Brian Jamieson to put Nottingham in the lead. Joe King had a tight finish against Julieann Trembling to win +1 as time expired. At 5-5, Sarah Butler prevailed over Andy Evason +8 to clinch the decider – and the match.
The final was played in good spirits, with Nottingham receiving the trophy from James Death.. For the vanquished, Joe King had the consolation of reaching the 5P (peel) trigger point after his two wins.”
The day started in brilliant sunshine, but chilly. The weather forecast promised heavy rain later in the day, so we made a prompt start. A toss of a coin meant that Susan Tilbrook played Brian Jamieson on Court 1, and Nick Freund played Andy Evason on Court 2, in the Semifinals. We used the starting scores variant of the Advantage Handicap System.
Nick got off to a flying start against Andy winning the first two hoops in record time. However, Andy fought back and won the first game 7–6, Nick the second 7-5. A place in the Final rested on their third game. Andy won 7 – 6 after a nail-biting match.
On Court 1, Susan had a comfortable win over Brian in their first game, 7 – 2. Their second game was much tighter, but Susan’s clearance and hooping skills gave her a 7 – 5 win and through to the Final.
During the Semis the rain had kept away.
Who was going to win this Final, Susan in fantastic form, handicap 6, against a strong player in every way, handicap 4?
After two games the honours were even Susan winning the first game 7–4, and Andy the second 7–3. Waterproofs were on and off, and a couple of times the players had to scamper to the Clubhouse for shelter.
The third game was very close, clearing each others balls continually. Susan grasped the title by winning 7–4, despite Andy’s efforts to keep her at bay!
Well done to Susan on magnificent play, but also to all the Semifinalists who made it an entertaining day for the spectators.
In previous years there has been an event of this kind with one day at Phyllis Court and one at Blewbury and a second event shared by High Wycombe and Phyllis Court. Last year there was a suggestion to complete the triangle and have an event hosted by High Wycombe and Blewbury. So it happened with the full complement of eight contestants.
It was organised as a Swiss with a 2.5 hour time limit to permit three rounds to be played on the first day in daylight. The first day was at High Wycombe with excellent weather and quite fast lawns. The second day was held at Blewbury where the final two rounds were completed with some occasional light rain – but much better than expected. The day was punctuated by an excellent lunch prepared and served by Minty.
At the end of the fifth round there were three people on four wins however Simon Ling had beaten Brian Jamieson who had beaten Andy Evason who had in turn beaten Simon Ling so choosing the winner was down to the hoop count making Simon the winner. Choosing the second place was easy as Brian had beaten Andy in their game. So the first three were:
Simon Bryant, unstoppable winner of GC+10 tournaments when he joined Blewbury in 2024, conquered the club’s best players in the level play Championship. Peter Allan? John Garnett? No problem . Simon smiled even more broadly than usual as he and his victims enjoyed Carol’s wine and snacks. A proper Cinderella moment to celebrate. Simon, we salute you….
