Would you enjoy some gentle outdoor exercise coupled with some friendly competition? Then croquet might be the sport for you.
Hamptworth Croquet Club has agreed to host a series of eight Monday morning sessions for u3a members starting on the 5th July.
No experience is necessary, all equipment will be provided (mallets, balls and hoops). Members need to dress in comfortable clothing (not too long or loose as this may get in the way of swinging a mallet). Ladies note the normal stance is to stand with one's legs slightly apart and swing the mallet between the legs, so slacks or shorts are preferable to skirts. Flat bottom shoes such as trainers are needed so as not to damage lawns. A rain jacket is also useful to continue to play in light showers.
For those entirely new to croquet some instruction and practice will be given on mallet grip striking balls, how to run a hoop and elementary rules of Golf Croquet. The idea is to get everyone playing as quickly as possible.
Hamptworth Croquet Club is set in the Hamptworth Golf Club at Hamptworth Road, Salisbury SP5 2DU. This is easily reached in a car by driving about 5 miles down the A36 south of Salisbury towards Southampton, taking a turning to the right where a brown sign indicates “Country Club”. Then into Landford Village and take another turning to the right indicated by a further brown “Country Club” sign. Continue for about a mile on the Hamptworth Road, past the “Cuckoo Inn” and the Club is on the right-hand side of the road. There is parking available and a clubhouse and changing room. Tea coffee, snacks and drinks can be purchased in the Club House, where there are also changing facilities. The Club House will be operated according to whatever co-vid rules are in place at the time.
There are five well-kept croquet lawns and a small pavilion 50 yards down a small hill next to the car park. The area is surrounded by woodland and has a feeling of spaciousness.
The activity will be limited to a maximum of 12 participants, who will be expected to practice outdoor social distancing and clean and sanitize equipment after use with soap and sanitisers provided.
Sessions will be from 10.00 to 12.00 hours on Mondays for eight meetings starting 5th July. After the u3a session, participants would be welcome to hang around until 14.00 hours and watch Club members play their Monday afternoon regular mix-ins, observe finer points of the game played by experienced players and the general ambience of the Club..
Cost will be £3 per session, which includes a green fee and the hire of a mallet. If a member has their own mallet there will be a reduction of £1 for each session. Members are expected to pay before each session. The Croquet Club is keen to welcome new members. If after their u3a croquet experience, participants are interested in joining the Club to play croquet all day, all the year-round, the Club would discount any annual membership fee by the amount paid for participation in u3a sessions.
If you want to get swinging (with a mallet). Contact Eric Crowter at mobile: 07538783041 or
Email: ericcrowter63@gmail.com. More information about Hamptworth Croquet Club can be found at https://croquet-websites.org.uk/hamptworth
