Meldreth Croquet Club tops the League – But Seeks New Home
Meldreth Croquet Club has gone top of the East Anglian North and Eastern B Level Golf Croquet League after a storming 11-1 win over Chelmsford Hoops on 26th June. At the same time the club is well positioned to take the leading position in the Central Division of the East Anglia Handicap League following a 6-4 win over Barnet earlier in the month. Meldreth has a fine record in the Handicap League; in 2022 and 2023, the club won the Regional Final and qualified for the National Federations Shield held in each of the following years, reaching the semi-final in 2023 and the final in 2024. On both occasions it was finally beaten by Phyllis Court (Henley-on-Thames), the UK’s top team.
Meldreth is a village croquet club with a national reputation, but a cloud is hanging over its future. For the last twenty years it has been based on land lent generously but informally by the British Queen public house on the village High Street, and its immaculate but well-used lawn hosts not only club matches but also U3A classes for croquet novices and enthusiasts. The club must now vacate the lawn by the end of this year and is currently seeking a new home in the local area, so far without success. A lawn measuring 30 x 40 metres is needed for club competitions, and any suggestions for a suitable location would be extremely welcome. The clock is ticking on a valued local amenity.
