CA Diplomas Awarded in 2003
Contents...
Whitford Naylor - Auckland Croquet Club
Whit has been a member of Auckland Croquet Club since it started in 1998. He has never stood for office, but is always willing to help in any way he can. He acts as unofficial greenkeeper and the club's lawn is a credit to his efforts. He is a regular on the rota for setting out the courts and is always ready to cover for anyone unable to fulfil his/her turn. He is ready to pass on his knowledge of the game to newcomers. He is always cheerful and is the life and soul of the club's social gatherings.
John Grant - Belsay Hall Croquet Club
John became a member of Belsay Hall Croquet Club shortly after its formation in 1989, and immediately became involved in the club's development, becoming Chairman in 1996. He was enthusiastically involved in practically every aspect of the club life, organising everything from tournaments and leagues to the club's annual dinner, and compiling annually a 48 page club handbook. His enthusiasm for croquet was infectious, and he willingly taught new players; through his dedication and application he built the club up to sixty members. He served for many years on the committee of Croquet North, and as their Development Officer, he was largely instrumental in obtaining a lottery grant to purchase a mini-carpet for use in village halls. Failing health has forced John reluctantly to wind down his involvement in croquet, but the club is keen to show its appreciation of the enormous contribution he has made over the years.
Jolyon Kay - Blewbury Croquet Club
Jolyon founded Blewbury Croquet Club ten years ago, and has served on the committee ever since, with spells as Chairman and Secretary. He chaired the project group set up when the club applied for a Lottery Grant from Sport England, and was heavily involved in the discussions leading to the success of the application and in the contractual negotiations which followed. He has served as Chairman of the Southern Federation, and is currently their Coaching Officer and Regional Representative on Council. He has worked selflessly to publicise and promote croquet in the local area, and is running a series of coaching courses for club members and juniors, including two girls who have chosen to play croquet as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
Mike Sandler - Bowdon Croquet Club
Mike Sandler retired as Hon. Treasurer of the Bowdon Croquet Club in November 2002 after 22 years in office. Mike joined the Club in 1973 at a time when it was recovering after a long decline. He was one of a group of enthusiastic younger members who sustained the Club when no money was available, culminating in the revival in 1979 of the Northern Championships. During his period of office as treasurer, he has acted also as the Club's honorary legal adviser, particularly in the matter of the renewal and extension of the lease with the National Trust which enabled the Club to obtain a crucial Sports Council grant. When the Club hosted a number of Test Matches in the 1990s, Mike Sandler sponsored the events through his Legal Practice. His generosity was multiplied by the efforts of other members, who built on the resulting publicity to expand the full playing membership by an unprecedented 25% in a single year. The income flowing from this surge in membership now underpins the undoubted success enjoyed by the Club today, and is a direct result of his generous example and sound financial leadership.
Joyce and Mary Goodhart - Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club
Joyce and Mary Goodhart are stalwarts of Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club. Since joining the club in 1986 both have been highly active committee members. Mary has been Chairman of both the Club and Croquet Committees, and for many years has occupied the hugely demanding position of Tournament Secretary; Joyce has been Croquet Secretary and Chairman and a member of the General Committee, and is currently Chairman of the Handicap Committee. Apart from their committee work both are assistant coaches, help with catering, and find time to be keen players. Their presence at CA Tournaments is invaluable, with their ability for making visitors feel welcome, ensuring that the club is tidy, that trophies are ready for presentation and that everything runs smoothly. The club owes them a great debt of gratitude for all their hard work over the years.
Bunny and Dennis Porter - Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club
Bunny Porter, assisted by her husband Dennis, runs both the Club and the Players' bars. If you have ever been to Budleigh Salterton you will know that, while Bunny is playing, Dennis is attending to our liquid refreshment. No club function, lunch or dinner, goes by without Bunny or Dennis at the bar. Bunny has served on both Croquet and General Committees, and often caters for weekend tournaments. In addition to his bar duties Dennis, who has yet to be induced to play croquet, nevertheless fills an invaluable role in general maintenance work, bringing to bear his many handyman skills.
Their joint contribution to the needs of club members and visitors is enormous, and we would be hard-pressed to manage without them.
Alec Coleman - Caterham Croquet Club
Alec was a well-known low handicap player on the tournament circuit in the '60s and '70s before giving up the game for personal reasons. When Caterham Croquet Club was formed in 1986 he was persuaded to return to the game. Unable for health reasons to return to serious competitive play, he has nevertheless devoted himself to helping the club, often unobtrusively, and to spending countless hours coaching, particularly with beginners where he has shown endless patience. Typically, he has donated a trophy to be presented each year to the club's most improved player. Unfortunately, he is unable any longer to continue coaching, but he frequently comes along to provide friendly encouragement and advice.
John Gilbert - Caterham Croquet Club
John has served the Caterham Croquet Club both on and off the committee for many years, including five years as Chairman. His immense contribution to the club has been mainly in two areas. Firstly he has built up a strong relationship with the local council and their ground staff, exhorting them on lawn maintenance, and undertaking most of the negotiations that led to the club getting its second lawn. Secondly, he has been very active in attracting and keeping new members. It is largely due to John that golf croquet is now played, both as an introductory aid and competitively, and recent increases in membership and retained members are largely due to his enthusiasm in this area. Not only does John run adult education courses, which largely benefit our club and the local community, but he also runs croquet courses at Polesden Lacey which take croquet to a wider audience.
Bernard Neal - Cheltenham Croquet Club
Cheltenham members count themselves particularly fortunate to have a club president as supportive and versatile as Bernard Neal. A player of eminence at the top-level of the game who may be found as often as not helping to set out lawns ready for our next tournament; a manager giving his total attention this week perhaps to a major championship and then next week presiding over a club afternoon knockabout.
A skilled reporter and negotiator, an activist on committees, a go-getter, Bernard is a determined advocate for the development of his club and for croquet in general. Here is a 'hands-on' president highly regarded and esteemed by all who meet him. There can be few more deserving of the CA Diploma.
Bill Mell - Huddersfield (Syngenta) Croquet Club
As a founder member of the club, Bill has been a stalwart supporter, serving both as a committee member and as Secretary. His major contribution has been the development of coaching courses for the local U3A. Over the years he has introduced many people to croquet in this way, and many new members have been welcomed into the club. Bill is a highly valued club member, always prepared to help in any way he can, and is fully deserving the award of the CA Diplomas.
Donald Beck - Medway Croquet Club
Don was a founder member of the club, and acted as Secretary for twelve years until his move to Middlesex for business reasons. He played a large part in the development of Medway into a four lawn club with upward of fifty members. He was especially effective in raising money by grants, loans and donations, and also in recruiting new members and publicising the activities of the club.
Roy Ware - Ramsgate Croquet Club
Roy joined Ramsgate Croquet Club in 1989 on his return from South Africa, and from the beginning has been active in promoting croquet in general and the club in particular. He has been the driving force behind the Ramsgate Golf Croquet Championship, which attracts an international entry, and organises the four CA Calendar tournaments that the club runs each year. He serves on the committee of the South East Federation, he edits and contributes the bulk of the material to the Club Magazine, and, perhaps most important of all, with his partner Mary runs the junior section of the Club, giving up his Saturday mornings, when not playing in tournaments, to coaching the fifteen junior members.
Neil Williams - Westmorland (Formerly Kendal) Croquet Club
Neil has had a long and varied history in croquet, having been a member of Cheltenham, Southport, Crake Valley and Kendal Croquet Clubs. He has interviewed many distinguished players and written numerous articles for The Croquet Gazette. He has been a great teacher of the game, and has given unstintingly of his time to manage and act as referee at tournaments. When problems of vandalism forced Kendal Croquet Club to seek a new venue he was tireless in his efforts to find a suitable location, raise the necessary finance, and finally to recruit an expert groundsman to look after what is now a fine croquet lawn in the ornamental grounds of Levens Hall. Owing to recent prolonged ill-health Neil has been unable to take advantage of playing on the new lawn or to continue as Chairman of the renamed Westmorland Croquet Club, but the club's committee is keen to ensure that his immense contribution to the game should not go unrecognised.
Pam Overton - Woodhall Spa Croquet Club
Pam Overton was a founder member of the Woodhall Spa Croquet Club in 1991. She has served two stint as club secretary, and has also been the coaching officer, press officer and organiser of competitions. She has arranged for club members to go into schools at primary and special school level as well as locally at a local leisure park to offer coaching sessions. Pam is also a willing team member who will travel to games within the Federation. She was instrumental in providing funding for the club's search for a home of its own within Woodhall Spa and has spent many hours on lottery and other applications for grants, land, building permission and other related matters. This award from the CA will serve to confirm the appreciation felt by the members of her achievements within the club.
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