Croquet Association Diplomas 2000 - presented at the AGM

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photo by Gail Curry

This is the first year that the Croquet Association has awarded Diplomas. They are intended to recognise those club members who have been active in club affairs over a long period. The Diplomas have nothing to do with croquet prowess and everything to do with help given to other members.

JOHN AIREY
Nominated by Swindon Croquet Club

John has made a tremendous contribution to the club. He coaches beginners, paints hoops, makes trolleys for carting equipment, writes the club newsletters, runs tournaments, gets us publicity in local newspapers and is a very active committee member.

ANNA GIRAUD
Nominated by Zeneca Croquet Club

Anna's achievement is considerable: in 1991 she not only introduced an unknown game into a somewhat indifferent environment but then did a lot of the donkey work associated with competitions and handicapping. Her greatest input has been in coaching many people in the Huddersfield area who now have a knowledge and love of croquet.

NIGEL GRAY
Nominated by Letchworth Croquet Club

Since 1987 Nigel has been our energetic Secretary and has turned his hand to organising working parties and club competitions. It is doubtful if the club would have survived and flourished without Nigel's hard work. In recent years he has organised beginner's courses and has arranged special events. His expert knowledge of wines adds an extra dimension to the latter.

RONALD H RAWDEN
Nominated by Bury St Edmunds and District Croquet Club

Mr Rawden was a founder member of the club in 1985 and has been a committee member since then. A retired engineer, he used his many practical skills to make sets of hoops and mallets to get the club started. Since then he has annually serviced equipment as well as designing all kinds of items for us including the hoops in our artificial surface.

ENID ROSS
Nominated by Sussex County Croquet Club

Mrs Ross joined the club in 1978 and soon organised self-help maintenance programmes - known as "Enid's winter working parties". All clubs depend on a nucleus of unpaid, often unsung, volunteers for coaching, lawns, gardens, catering and general maintenance. In the last 20 years Enid has made substantial contributions in all these areas. In the early 1990's she re-started regular sessions of golf croquet which now leaves the club well placed to take a prime role in the upsurgence of this game.

PAT SHINE
Nominated by Worthing Croquet Club

Lionel Wharrad wrote about Pat:

"Worthing Croquet Club is very much the personal creation of Pat Shine. Certainly I cannot think of anyone else who would have the energy, the persistence and persuasion to convert one small, sloping court into a lively and flourishing club with 4 full size lawns. Pat has done much for croquet as a member of the CA Council and a manager of many tournaments."

BILL SIMPSON
Nominated by The Lym Valley Croquet Club

Bill Simpson was the prime mover in forming our club in 1988: he set up the club committee and was elected Secretary. Bill established the club rules and found a suitable venue and clubhouse. He made himself an authority on the Laws and attended a coaching course so that he could help other members improve their game. To maintain interest in the winter months Bill introduced a tabletop tournament that has been featured on television. He retired after 10 years as Secretary in 1998.

HONOR and ERNEST SMITH
Nominated by Belsay Hall Croquet Club

Both Honor and Ernest have coached new members at Belsay in regular weekly sessions over many years. Ernest has been manager of the lawns and equipment for more than ten years; Honor is now vice-chairman of the club. Honor and Ernest Smith are much loved by the members who all recognise the outstanding contribution they have made.

ROY TAYLOR
Nominated by Woodhall Spa Croquet Club

Roy Taylor was the first of our members to become a CA Tournament Member and he organises league games at club and Federation levels. He is a practical man who designs, makes and mends equipment for us. In addition, Roy is the Equipment Officer for our Federation. He is a stalwart of the game and has done much to help and inspire our club.

DAB WHEELER
Nominated by Cheltenham Croquet Club

Mrs D A Wheeler (known as Dab by everyone in croquet) has handled all the tournament arrangements at Cheltenham for the last 15 years. This is no mean feat involving each year some dozen CA events alone and correspondence with well over 600 players. Dab is an ever-present committee member; she manages tournaments, prepares meals (par excellence) and gives up her time to help coach new players. Supported by her husband Roger, Dab represents the essence of what croquet is about: friendship, support and assistance to all those who enjoy our sport.

Dr F LAWRENCE WHITTAKER
Nominated by Leicester Croquet Club

Lawrence founded the Leicester club in 1985 and has been our Secretary ever since. He is active in every aspect of the club's affairs: organising and managing events at national as well as club level, coaching and promoting croquet locally. Lawrence oversees all club activities, chores and the day-to-day running of the club. His contribution to the club is unparalleled.

In the photo are John Airey, Pat Shine, Enid Ross, John Solomon, Dab Wheeler, Lawrence Whittaker and Nigel Gray.