In general, not much is known about croquet, but hidden away in a corner of Reigate, Surrey, our club has been established for 100 years, catering for members of all ages, from all walks of life. A sociable and fun past-time, with the potential for games to range from simple and carefree, to devilishly tactical, croquet is a low-impact sport, which is easy to… Read more →
New carpet; new gadget and new season
Our season-opening first club day of the year was the Chairman’s Choice on 6th April. It was also the first event to take place after some clubhouse rectification action had been tackled following the flooding of the loo area back in January. The clubhouse carpet had to be scrapped and a replacement laid. The carpet had been generously supplied by… Read more →
Red-hot Heat for Charity One-Ball Competition
Wardrobes were scoured to find something red to wear for this year’s Charity One-Ball competition on 13 April, to match the theme colour of this year’s chosen charity: The British Heart Foundation (BHF). Even the sun came out to raise the temperature during the very well supported event, with competitors ranging from beginners to regular trophy winners. Chris Parker was… Read more →
AGM makes Andy Gray an Honorary Member
After 17 years as Treasurer, Andy Gray was made an Honorary Member of the club at its November AGM as he handed over the role to Martin Peacock. It was a meeting that reflected on a Centenary Year of events, with the Chairman, John Bristow, declaring the effort involved in planning and holding the various events to have been worthwhile… Read more →
Wet Cracker still went off with a bang!
Early December was wet. Very wet. Too wet, it seemed, for the Christmas Cracker to take place, with early arrivers finding the lawn waterlogged and unplayable. But they were not beaten and set up some wire hoops on the cricket pitch outfield: on a slope; uneven and muddy. It made for some interesting seven-hoop games of doubles, in which the… Read more →
Jamie Stars in England Win
With a number of World Cups being fought recently, one that has flown somewhat under the radar was in the world of croquet, in which England emerged victorious for the first time in 10 years, in no small part due to Redhill resident Jamie Burch. The MacRobertson shield is generally held every 4 years, and sees England take on the… Read more →
U League 2023
There were 2 consequences of winning the SECF U-league in 2022… There was a trophy which had not been seen in the club this century, even though Reigate won several times in that period. Also, we were entered in the CA Secretary’s Shield Championship, drawn as a home match against Winterborne Valley – winners of a similar league in… Read more →
Centenary Tournament
The celebrations of Reigate Priory Croquet Club’s Centenary continue! As we only have a single lawn (not quite full size at that) it is difficult for us to hold home league matches and impossible to hold a conventional tournament. Nevertheless, we wanted to invite as many other players as possible to our lawn in our centenary year, so our committee… Read more →
Video – Jamie Burch v Mark Avery – Exhibition Match
On June 4th 2023, Reigate Priory Croquet Club hosted an exhibition match between two of the top players in the world, as part of their ongoing Centenary Year celebrations. Mark Avery (current world no. 7) came to visit, to play against Jamie Burch (world no. 3) in 3 golf games followed by an Association match. The two had paired together… Read more →
Bowls-to-Croquet Day
On the morning of Thursday 25th May, a small army of bowlers advanced across the cricket ground towards the NE corner, armed with their wheeled bowls trolley bags. But it wasn’t an invasion of the croquet lawn – just a takeover for the morning… As part of our Centenary Celebrations, the bowlers of Reigate Priory Bowling Club had been invited… Read more →
Exhibition Match – June 4th
Reigate Priory has the privilege of having one of the best players in the world as a member, but on Sunday 4th June 2023 we’ll be welcoming a second top 10 player, albeit for one day only! As part of our Centenary celebrations, there will be exhibition matches played out between Mark Avery and Jamie Burch at our own Reigate… Read more →