CA Diplomas Awarded in 2014
Contents...
L to R: Brian Bucknall, Daphne Gaitley, Richard Stevens, Bronach Reid, Quiller Barrett, Colin Gregory, Cheryl Stephenson, Roger Wood, Sylvia Thomson, David Tutt (Photo: Chris Roberts)
Brian Bucknall - Phyllis Court Croquet Club
Brian Bucknall has been at the heart of Phyllis Court Croquet for 37 years. He was co-opted on to the Croquet committee in 1977, elected to serve the following year and became its chairman two years after that. He looked after AC competitions and social events for more than five years and, after a brief respite, returned to the committee in 1992 as Secretary and again looking after all things AC.
He then took on the Chairman's role for another three years in 1998 and saw membership numbers reach then-record levels. At that same year's AGM, Phyllis Court doyen 'Smokey' Eades recognised Brian's contribution over the previous 21 years, probably not reckoning on his near doubling of that service in the seasons to come. Two further five-year stints as AC organiser followed in 2002 and 2009 and, although AC numbers have dwindled in later years, he has been unwavering in his championing of the code. He has devoted countless hours to coaching AC beginners and improvers over many years, often at the expense of his own on-court playing time.
Eileen Buxton - Ashby Croquet Club
Eileen is a long-standing member who despite problems with her health is always bright and cheerful. She has been on the Ashby committee for many years including a few years as chairman. She has been a major contributor to the East Midland Federation committee for well over ten years and is currently the chairman.
She is a qualified GC coach and at both Ashby and other East Midlands' clubs she has worked tirelessly to help numerous players to improve their game. In short, she would be a worthy recipient of a CA Diploma.
Colin Gregory - Letchworth Croquet Club
Colin Gregory has been an exemplary club secretary for Letchworth Croquet Club since 2009 and is invaluable to the committee by keeping an eye on future deadlines and events, as well as calmly resolving many issues before they become crises. He communicates well with club members via a regular newsletter and has produced an informative booklet for new members to help them in their first few months.
Colin has, for many years, organised a series of Fun Doubles GC tournaments for club members and local community groups which have become keenly contested highlights of the club calendar, raising thousands of pounds for the club and involving both AC and GC players. These sessions involve up to 28 players on just two lawns several times a year and, by careful seeding, provide a great way to get inexperienced players feeling comfortable with a gently competitive format.
Colin is also an enthusiastic supporter and player in the inter-club matches and provides a warm welcome for visiting teams. His efforts are an essential component in fostering an enthusiastic and welcoming environment within the club and his organisational support has enabled the Club to develop efficiently and effectively.
Roger Hayes - Bath Croquet Club
Roger Hayes joined Bath Croquet Club in 1996 having honed his considerable croquet skills at Woking Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club where he had been a committee member. He was elected to the Bath Croquet Club Committee in 2004, replacing Bob Whitaker as Chairman in 2006, a post he has held since. With others, he has been instrumental in the Club's long-running and still ongoing lease negotiations with the Bath Recreation Ground Trust, which are of critical importance to the future of the Club.
His enthusiasm for the game and how it is played at the Club continues undiminished and in his role as chairman, he has always held the interests of the Club above all else, emphasising the importance of good coaching and encouraging competitive play, both in AC and GC. He has been the Club's AC Handicapper for some years and is now a CA Handicapper. He is also currently Chairman of the South West Federation.
Julie Horsley - Sidmouth Croquet Club
Julie Horsley has been a member of Sidmouth Croquet Club since 2007, prior to which she was a member of Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club for 14 years. Whilst at Budleigh she served on the committee from 1999 until 2005 and was secretary from 1999 to 2003. For the last eight years, she has been an outstanding secretary of the South West Federation, a role which she now seeks to relinquish.
In addition to these roles, Julie has managed CA tournaments for the last eleven years. On average she manages six such events per year, mostly in the south and west but also further afield. She manages with great efficiency, charm and when required with a firm hand. She is invariably asked back and is under constant pressure to take on more such commitments. In addition, Julie manages some of Sidmouth's internal events as well as being an active playing participant and referee. She acts as mentor and adviser to other club members who take on tournament management duties.
Derek Humphrey - Northampton Croquet Club
In his early life, during World War II, Derek took a liking to croquet without any instruction. He therefore devised a unique method of play, whereby he placed the top of the mallet handle firmly in his right armpit to keep good control. Later he was conscripted as a Bevan Boy for the coal mines.
After retirement in 1992 and no further play meanwhile, he joined the Northampton club, only to find nobody placed the mallet under the armpit. Changing his stance, he emerged as a good player reaching a handicap of zero and going on to win a range of our trophies. However, the justification for nominating him for the CA Diploma lies in his years of quiet service, organising club events and handling as many as thirty visiting groups for evening events each summer, bringing in considerable funds. He has regularly handled a paint brush or hammer and remains a cheerful and encouraging adviser and player.
Phillip Joseph - The Hurlingham Club
Philip Joseph, a retired successful bookseller, became Chairman of Croquet at the Hurlingham Club in 2005. During his three-year tenure, he oversaw and encouraged a considerable growth in the number of members taking part in both Golf and Association croquet.
Not content with his significant achievement at Hurlingham, Philip also established a croquet club in Hyde Park, which attracted a new set of players to the game. Unfortunately, bureaucratic problems led to the demise of the club, but a few of its members went on to succeed in national tournaments.
Jeremy Marshall - Kingston Maurward Croquet Club
Jeremy Marshall has been Chairman of the Kingston Maurward Croquet Club, Dorchester since 1992. He was elected when the Club was in debt, threatened with closure, and struggling with fewer than 20 members. Today, 22 years later, KMCC is thriving with some 50 members.
Any Chairman needs a good committee and Jeremy has always created a good atmosphere, and been very approachable. He has steered the Club with energy and enthusiasm through various stages of development (one example, erection of a small Club House). He has also set handicaps, programmed events, organised coaching sessions and scheduled league matches within the South West Federation.
At all times Jeremy is bright and cheerful and leads by example. He is generous with his time, always ready to give help and advice to new and existing members on their game. He sets keen hoops, organises Club Fun Days and fund raising events for the Public, Local Organisations, and Wedding Parties.
It is through Jeremy's guidance and drive that Kingston Maurward has become a successful and friendly Croquet Club.
Alan Reeves - Bakewell Croquet Club
Alan approached the District Council, who managed Bakewell Recreation Ground, to discuss the possible formation of the Club and the provision of space for two half-size lawns. The Council were not at all helpful and it was only after Alan contacted his MP that progress was made and the embryonic Croquet Club provided with the lawns.
Alan contacted the Federation of East Midlands Croquet Clubs for assistance in borrowing hoops, mallets and balls as well as the provision of coaching. He applied to "Sport for All" for a grant and this was successful and enabled the purchase of hoops and mallets for the Club With the Club attracting more members Alan successfully applied to the District Council for two full-size lawns. These had to be located within the cricket outfield, and this met ongoing and somewhat irrational resistance from the cricket club. Alan was instrumental in addressing and resolving these issues. The club is now in its tenth year with nearly 40 members. It would certainly not be so successful without Alan's vision and persistence despite all the opposition over the years.
Bronach Reid - The Hurlingham Club
Bronach Reid is a naturally kind, gentle and caring person and those characteristics have been very apparent and influential in her croquet activities. Having played croquet for many she was firstly on the Hurlingham Club Croquet Committee, then becoming its chairman from 2002-2005. During this time she was influential in the South East Federation, encouraging members to play outside the club. Within the club she put much energy into recruiting new players, especially women, at a time when the number of croquet playing members was woeful and started the process of rebuilding the section into what it has become today. In her enthusiasm she posted notices in the wrong places in the club and was gently rebuked by the Secretary! This was all happening at a time when the AC v GC debate was at its height which required gentle handling by Bronach, especially at Hurlingham.
She has devoted much energy to teaching croquet where her personal qualities made her a popular and effective coach. Her encouragement of the low bisquers to take a more active part in club activities has raised the standards of play at the club in both games and made Hurlingham a stronger croquet club. In conclusion her "kind, gentle and caring" manner has done much to both attract people to croquet and for the reputation of the game.
Graham Rosser - Wellington Croquet Club
Graham Rosser joined Wellington Croquet Club in 1993, almost immediately playing for the Club's B-League team and captaining it from 1994 onwards: he played continuously until 2009, retaining the captaincy throughout, the team achieving a marked and consistent measure of success, thanks to his dedicated coaching, advice and encouragement and to his own steady play. Graham also took over the Chairmanship of the Club in 1994 giving it the leadership, organisation and hands-on physical work, all inevitably entailed in running a small club; his period as Chairman ended in 2006, by which time he had served for 13 years. He was made an Honorary Life Member in 2010.
Three highlights stand out from all that Graham did for Wellington Croquet over 17 years:- superintending the successful move of the Club in 1999 to its present location at Oake; stepping down as Chairman, turning over a thriving club, with a small but viable and enthusiastic membership and on the playing side, passing on a standard of play, largely attributable to his personal efforts, that immediately led from 2010 onwards to the club displaying enough skill and confidence to enter the South West Federation's Intermediate Competition besides continuing in the B-League.
Wendy Rosser - Wellington Croquet Club
Wendy Rosser joined Wellington Croquet Club in 1993, soon afterwards playing for the Club's B-League Team: she played continuously until 2011. Her handicap quite rapidly went down to 12 and she soon displayed the skill, dedication and patience necessary to pass on her knowledge and understanding of the game, by giving unstintingly of her time in coaching, advising and encouraging other members, as well as setting a fine example by her own standard of play.
Wendy served as the Club's Publicity Officer for four years, 1995-98 followed by service as the club's Secretary for the next 13 years 1999-2011: as well as numerous tasks and responsibilities of that post, she continued to cope with the Club's publicity as before. Ever a tower of strength, both on and off the lawn, across 19 years, she was made an Honorary Life Member in 2013. Wendy has played a significant part in the recruitment and retention of members, in her match and coaching skills, and in her conscientious and detailed administration of the Club over many years. Her contribution to the continuing success of the Club has been immense.
Brian Roynon - Nailsea and District Croquet Club
Brian and his wife, Brenda, joined Nailsea and District Croquet Club in 2004 and quickly became members of Golf Croquet League teams. Brian also captained the B League team, combining this with mowing the lawns and maintaining the club's large poster boards. After only two years, Brian became Chairman, and continued on the committee thereafter. He is responsible for club property and is often to be seen with a hammer or a paint brush, repairing or renovating buildings or equipment. Fire-extinguishers, electrical installations, lawn machinery and a myriad of other items fall under his watchful eye. He observes the need for projects such as replacement flooring and oversees the work of contractors. Brian also liaises with the professional lawn consultant and supervises all the work done on the lawns by the Club members as well as creating the rotas and doing much of it himself.
Brian also contributes to social occasions, being a willing shopper, delivery man, raffle organiser and compere. Along with Brenda, he organises and takes part in social visits from local groups, teaching them GC with patience and good humour.
Brian's handicaps steadily improved: he plays in the AC Federation League team and a GC League team as well as being captain of an AC Intermediate League team.
Cheryl Stephenson - Chelmsford and Bentley Croquet Club
Cheryl joined the Club in 1991, soon after its inception, and played a major part in the levelling of the lawn in Central Park - the turf removed by hand and Cheryl herself paying for a lorry load of topsoil. In the interests of the Club she subsequently studied (self-funded) and obtained an NVQ level 2 in lawn care at Writtle College, whom she persuaded to make land available to accommodate two lawns. She, with three other members, worked unstintingly on the new lawns and the Club moved there in 1997.
In 1998 with membership in decline Cheryl persuaded the Committee to introduce members who wished to play golf croquet. She has been generous with her time, has served Committee, coached, and helps and encourages new members. She is known the "Fairy Godmother", as tools and equipment appear from nowhere and recompense is flatly refused.
Cheryl is the Club's "head gardener" working on the surrounds, trying to improve the standard of the lawns and organises the annual top-dressing party. She has recently produced a laser map of the lawns. In addition to all this she makes a really good knickerbocker glory and pears in red wine dessert.
Richard Stevens - Hamptworth Croquet Club
Having started playing croquet at home with a group of friends, Richard Stevens founded Hamptworth Croquet Club in the early 1980's by persuading the promoters of a new Golf Club to make room for croquet. After a false start when the original company failed, the new Golf Club owner was invited to a "croquet soiree" and he had such a good time that two laser-levelled courts quickly appeared. Under Richard's Chairmanship and vision two more courts followed in 2010, with a striking cantilevered pavilion built between the lawns, followed by a 5th court in 2012. Now Club President, Richard has throughout been ambitious for Hamptworth and has been very much the main force in driving it forward to become a very significant venue for tournaments in southern England. Hosting the Solomon Trophy in 2011 was a particularly proud moment for him. He has had the vision to ensure the club's succession for the future by stepping back two years ago from the day to day running of the club, whilst retaining an active interest as President.
Richard Stevens is a person of great charm and tenacity without whom Hamptworth Croquet Club would not exist. He is an excellent ambassador for croquet both at home and abroad.
Vivian Thomson - Phyllis Court Croquet Club
Vivian Thomson joined the Croquet Section of the Phyllis Court Club in 1999 and enjoyed it so much he decided he wanted to put something back into the sport. He joined the Committee in his 2001 and set about introducing many new golf croquet competitions and tournaments, and in so doing, brought enthusiasm for competitive GC play to a club that hitherto had seen the code only as a social pastime.
He became the Chairman of the Croquet Committee in 2002 and a year later, oversaw the provision of the Club's croquet pavilion. He successfully fought off a possible loss of one of the Section's courts to bowling, and he also took control of all league and friendly matches, increasing the number of both. Vivian encouraged Phyllis Court players to attend courses to become coaches and referees, and achieved badges for both himself.
In latter years, Vivian re-joined the Club's committee as GC Handicapper and coach, and it is in the field of coaching that he has perhaps most excelled. He has encouraged many players to experience croquet beyond the gates of our club. Phyllis Court wish to recognise Vivian's contribution to both their club and all things croquet.
Julian Tonks - York Croquet Club
Julian, a founder member of York Croquet Club, joined the initial planning group in 1987 and, from the start, fulfilled a wide range of Committee roles in turn: chairman, secretary, treasurer, match secretary, in fact, as he puts it, "everything except social secretary". Regionally he has been Yorkshire Federation secretary, treasurer, and an active Development Officer, while nationally he has served on the CA Council and CA Development Committee (a role he particularly enjoyed) and chaired the Investment Committee.
Julian is a much loved and greatly appreciated member of York Croquet Club. He is also much respected by other players for his warmth, approachability, fairness and commitment to croquet.
David Tutt - Letchworth Croquet Club
David Tutt joined Letchworth Croquet Club in its founding year of 1987 when the club had no existing croquet players but David was a quick learner and, from the early stages, he started coaching newcomers. In 1989 the club team won the Longman Cup at its first attempt; David playing a key role in that victory. Year in, year out, David has worked tirelessly to introduce and coach newcomers in AC and GC, with unfailing courtesy and infinite patience. He also undertook the training of GC coaches for the East Anglian Croquet Federation.
David has embraced the recent CA guidance and, for this year's beginners' course, he coached Garden Croquet rules. At the course end, eight new members joined, all playing AC. Some existing GC members attended the course and they, too, have continued to develop their new-found AC skills.
David instigated a witty, informative club magazine "The Peeler". Visitors to the club website often check in to read back issues. For 27 years David has been at the heart of the club, which has only two lawns but over 70 active members, and has been a major influence in its growth and continued success.
Roger Wood - Compton Croquet Club
Roger joined the Compton Club in 1971, and served as committee member, secretary, Vice President and trustee. He created and maintains the club website; expertly lays out and repairs the lawns; sets hoops for tournaments and has managed internal club competitions for 11 years.
His introduction to croquet was as an astronomer at Herstmonceux. He has managed two test matches, a World Team Championship and annually the "South of England" since 1985, a past winner in 1977. He and Roy Wallis started the annual COWhorn tournament in 1978. He continues to play off scratch, captaining Sussex for an incredible 39 years. He has won the South of England Week's Class Ionides Cup for the last three years and was awarded the CA Silver Medal in 2012.
In all his roles, he demonstrates a self-effacing optimistic manner with efficiency, generosity, enthusiasm and encouragement to all: hence the respect with which he is held in our club, Sussex and the CA.
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