CA Diplomas Awarded in 2007
Contents...
Roger Morris and Richard Clarke with CA President Bernard Neal
Sheila Watts - Tyneside Croquet Club
Shelia has been an active member of the Tyneside Club since 1991. She has developed into a formidable player, representing the club in CA competitions and league matches. Her greatest asset to the club however has been her involvement in the Administration activities, where she had been a long-serving member of the Management Committee and was for a time Club Secretary. More recently she has undertaken responsibility for the organisation of the club catering, producing lunches and teas for home matches and organising the very successful Annual Club Dinner.
Hamish Hall - Bristol Croquet Club
Hamish joined the Bristol Croquet Club in 1986 and is still remembered by Dr Gugan as the most promising beginner he ever coached. Hamish soon joined the committee and was elected Chairman in 1990, 1991 and 1992. Since then, except for a break of three years during which time he chaired the CA's Development Committee, he has been on the committee every year notably combining the demanding roles of Grounds Secretary and Treasurer for three years. Hamish is always there when needed, either doing the work, coaching, organising, encouraging volunteers or dispensing advice of sterling quality and superior audibility!
Roger Morris - Tunbridge Wells Croquet Club
Since September 2004 Roger had spearheaded the project to completely upgrade the Club's facilities. This included the replacement of the existing three lawns; installation of the irrigation system; purchase of the necessary lawn maintenance equipment, building of the Equipment Store; upgrading of the clubhouse facade and the conversion of the neighbouring Bowls Club lawn for croquet use. All this work was completed over a 12-month period. The work was completed on time, within budget and to a standard well above expectations. His commitment had been "awesome".
Richard Clarke - Tunbridge Wells Croquet Club
Richard took over as the Chairman of the Club two years ago. He has been able to mastermind the sourcing of all the required funding (£42,000). He has ensured that, during a time of great change, the Club has not been diverted from its main aim to become more than simply a traditional private members club. He has been commended for his work by the local Civic Society, which considers that he has enabled the Club to make a significant contribution to preserving and enhancing Calverley Gardens; and providing enhanced leisure facilities for the community.
John Hobbs - Tunbridge Wells Croquet Club
Most veteran croquet players know John as the master mallet maker and the "giant killer" of croquet. Members of his club would add that he was also the force behind the founding of their club in 1984. His dedication and professionalism have guided the club through its initial years. He can also be described as a committed worker/beaver during the major year of club development. He has spent many hours using a full range of construction skills. In addition, he continues to make a major contribution to coaching, managing, chairing, refereeing, handicapping and captaining.
Gerry Eccles - Cheltenham Croquet Club
Gerry has, during his long membership of the Cheltenham Croquet Club, been active in many aspects of club life. Gerry joined the Club Committee in 1990 and, in his quiet undemonstrative way, immediately set about making himself extremely useful. Throughout his years of service to the Club, he continually sought out those often tedious, sometimes unattractive jobs that need doing in any organisation. These are the tasks that are rarely life-threatening and never reach the forefront of most people's attention but tasks that make the difference between a smooth-flowing organisation and one that creaks and groans. Gerry has never sought to advertise his contribution and will probably be embarrassed by the citation but it is an undoubted truism that every Club should have an Eccles.
Peter Stone - Cheltenham Croquet Club
Peter is a quiet but major contributor to the standing of the Cheltenham Club. A relatively recent convert to the game, he has nevertheless found time to look outside his efforts to improve his own game, to areas where he might make a more total contribution to his new sport. Soon after joining the club, he started to take a keen interest in the state of our playing surfaces and he now devotes a considerable amount of his time and effort to improving their quality. He has also applied his practical skills and technical knowledge to the design and making of many labour-saving devices that have greatly improved the presentation of our courts throughout our busy tournament schedule. His input before and during the 2005 World Championships would merit a medal on its own. Peter willingly makes himself available for those club events where beginners to the game rely heavily on the help and goodwill of more experienced players.
Ken Mason - Sussex County Croquet Club
Ken joined the club some ten years ago and immediately joined the winter working party. He is a skilled DIYer and has developed many facilities to improve and maintain the club premises. He has designed and built the huge working table in the kitchen; redesigned and built a new Bar and has recently constructed and fitted out a service counter. He has also made and fitted new back gates and also designed and built a workshop and store.
Ken designed and made the eleven scoreboards used for the World Golf Croquet Championships.
Ken now organises the winter working party which meets weekly to keep the club in good condition.
Ken's playing abilities have been affected by his physical disabilities, but he has played Golf Croquet to a particularly high standard, having represented England at the World Championships in Cairo.
The club is deeply indebted to Ken and he is a very valuable and valued club member
Patrick Alden - Sussex County Croquet Club
Patrick became the club Treasurer in 1991. His banking experience put the club "back on track" and he kept a close eye on income and expenditure. He introduced fundraising activities and soon the club began to flourish again. Patrick put an enormous amount of time into the club and kept meticulous records, accounts and graphs which have proved invaluable to all members. The Auditor has praised the "competence and thoroughness" of Patrick's work. He is a great supporter of club activities and has made generous donations.
Patrick resigned from his financial responsibilities in 2006. He has a great sense of humour and is a very valuable member of the club.
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