From John Hampson, the Group Leader:

I was surprised that many people don't know that there is a Croquet Club in Southport; it is hidden away just off Rotten Row in Victoria Park in a beautiful setting with lawns and a clubhouse built in 1904.

Croquet is easy to learn and great fun to play.  It is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors, get gentle exercise, and meet new people in a friendly and relaxed setting.  And it can be played by anyone: no physical strength or stamina is needed; the Croquet mallet does all the work.

So I thought that I should give something back to the U3A and give members the opportunity to play and enjoy croquet by setting up a U3A Croquet group.

The U3A Croquet group runs on Tuesday afternoons from 2 pm to 4 pm at a cost of £8 per person until the end of the croquet season in September.  No experience is needed; all tuition and equipment will be provided.  Just wear flat shoes or trainers.  But if you have not played Croquet at all before, then let me know and I will arrange a Familiarisation session on your first visit to show you how to use a mallet safely and hit a ball accurately, then explain the rules and tactics of the game.