It was certainly one of those classic Ramsgate summer evenings — bright sunshine, dry skies, a cooling breeze, perfect weather for a stroll along the seafront or to the harbour. The forecast showed sunshine continuing into the evening with very little chance of rain before a clear night.
But this night was not one for walking, it was a time for friendly competitive battle among members and guests of Royal Navy Lodge on the sun-baked lawns of Ramsgate Croquet Club.
Royal Navy Lodge had dispatched some of it’s finest masons and their guests, just short of 30 strong, to try the gentle and competitive sport of Croquet. Ramsgate Croquet Club provides a wonderful location, overlooking the sea on the west cliff of Ramsgate. They have 4 lawns and so was perfect for us to enjoy (for most of us) our first attempt at this highly social and accessible lawn game.
Ramsgate Croquet Club made us very welcome from the moment we arrived. They quickly organised us into teams of two to each play three games against different opponents.
On the face of it a very simple game – just run 7 hoops, 1 point for each hoop, the team with most points after the 7 hoops have been completed is deemed the winner. However, under the excellent friendly and supportive coaching of Ramsgate Croquet Club Members we quickly realised the tactical nature of the game, and how frustrating it can be – one moment you are just a few inches directly in front of a hoop, the next minute your opponent has knocked your ball off to the other side of the lawn!
A great time was had by all, learning lots about the game and the tactics to win. Lots of friendly banter was had on the lawns – not always supportive of opponents at times admittedly, but all given and taken in good sport.
After all games were completed we visited the bar and gathered for the results and prize giving. We played in two groups, group winners of one being Peter Rodd & Gary Boon and the other being headed up by Roger Seward & John Manning. Runner up prizes were also awarded. Congratulations to all winners.
After brief thanks being given to Ramsgate Croquet Club members for making us so welcome and giving us a great evening we then tucked in to a delicious buffet provided by Debbie of the Racing Greyhound, enjoyed a few more drinks and relaxed and chatted as the sun set on a wonderful evening.
Thanks to all who attended and made it a great evening. I hope we can repeat the event at some point.
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