George Noble writes:
A visit to Merton Park for a South East Federation handicap Golf Croquet match led to defeat but what a wonderful place to put a croquet lawn!
The club is in Merton Park in a conservation area. The park and the surrounding area are the legacy of John Innes (1829 -1904). As well as the single croquet lawn there is a fine bowls lawn, tennis courts and a bandstand. The park is maintained by Merton Council to a very high standard (no contracting-out nonsense at Merton) and, in addition to a bijou bandstand, there is as magnificent a tile and brick public latrine (1909) as you will see anywhere near a croquet lawn. It was designed by the arts and crafts architect, John Sydney Brocklesby 1879–1955, and is worth a journey.
Sadly the surroundings did not lift the team and we lost 3 - 6. Here are the gory details (Merton first):
Doubles
Peter Gunn and Louise Taylor lost to George Noble and Sam Murray 5 - 7
Keith Collins and Hilary Godwin bt Brian Rees and David Wedmore 7 - 3
Singles
Peter Gunn bt George Noble 7 - 5
Keith Collins bt Brian Rees 7 - 3
Hilary Godwin lost to David Wedmore 6 - 7
Louise Taylor lost to Sam Murray 4 - 7
Doubles
Peter Gunn and Hilary Godwin bt Brian Rees and David Wedmore 7 - 6
Singles
Keith Collins bt Sam Murray 7 - 1
Louise Taylor bt George Noble 7 - 2
Updated 2.vii.22 |
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