Hoop setting, flag erecting

Winning the toss, Barbara opened the season with this shot.

Lorna Ndawarda reports on the permissions extended to our teams saying The lawns remain closed at the moment, but with last year's delayed final approaching, The Falcons team are allowed to practice on lawn 5. The Coasters team have a league opener against the (warmed up) Falcons and consequently are also allowed practice on lawn 5.

Meanwhile, Philip repaired the Dennis clutch and Ian fitted the new flagpole, Liz, Barry, Ursula and Peter set the full lawn hoops and short lawns 1,2,3 and 4. It was a slick operation. Liz and Ursula moving the tape up the lawns, Peter and Barry placing the hoops at the measurements called out.

14th April 2024

Some progress

Rachael is behind the camera.

Philip and Liz report from the lawns today.
Eleven members responded to the call to action on Sunday afternoon. The weather was kind (sunshine - what's that?) and most of the tidying of the West boundary of lawn 5 was finished. This included quite a severe hacking of overhanging branches. Lawn 5 was mowed and is now ready for white lining and hoop setting. All lawns were moved and the corners set. Lawn 3 was also mowed but both 3 and 1 are far too wet to consider play yet. Many thanks to Lindsay, Sue, Jude, Ursula, Rachel, Barbara, Ted, Phil and John, we really appreciate it.

7th April 2024

it's magic

Christening the new dumping area. Lawns dry enough for mowing action, the first cut is the deepest.
Memo to Reuters: The Webmeister reserves the right to occasionally use photographic enhancement techniques.

24th March 2024

Club Spirits

Tinker, Taylor, Plumber, Cleaner, Painter, Clearer.

A great turn out today, in cool but Sunny climes. The Boss was behind the camera today. Heath, our new groundsman, cleared the ditch and it was flowing freely, the lawns now feeling firmer underfoot.

24th March 2024

Lorna Ndawarda reports

Travelling across the moss the flooding is as bad as we have ever seen it, but our lawns, although soggy, are draining well. We have a new member of the ground staff team. A young man named Heath who will be doing the mowing this season. Heath will also be working with Philip in the coming months towards opening the lawns and facilities. Ian has painted the hoops and they are back in the green box. Some balls are also there in newly repaird and painted carriers. But hold fast! do not hurry down to hit some balls yet! There is a lot to do to get the lawns running and the current water levels is preventing us making a start. Perhaps we have invented a new way of measuring how wet the lawns are. These hoops were dropped from 2 feet above the ground and have all sunk a uniform amount into it. They are showing the wetness of the ground to be 3 'Ndawadas'.

15th March 2024

Correction to newspaper reports regarding the future of our club

South Shore Lawn Tennis Club (SSLTC) in Blackpool provides the space for our lawns. Many of you have been over here a few times, so you’re probably aware!

A private investor, in liaison with SSLTC, has applied for permission to build indoor padel courts on land currently occupied by two full (four short) lawns. 

Unfortunately, the local paper, 'The Gazette', has published a web article which wrongly implies that this means Croquet will be no more at SSLTC. People in NW Fed have been asking what’s happening.

– It is expected that nothing will change for 2024 season. So, League fixtures etc continue.

– From 2025 we will be relocated to other grassy areas. SSLTC are offering to help with ground preparation of new areas.

– there is ongoing discussion about accommodating our equipment and other facilities.

Planning details can be found here.

The Commitee FCC 18th January 2024

Curry Sunday

We were twenty people at the Red Fort Lytham. Many others unable to attend were away in warmer climates. Thank you to our Social Secretary!

14th January 2024

Business as usual

To clear her head after her party last night, FCC's rovin reporda, Lorna Ndawarder, has taken a bracing walk around the courts this morning. She texted: 'Happy New Year from me and the team. I was super worried after the major winds, thunder and storms, there would be flooding or damage. But I am delighted to say all lawns were only a little soggy and all structures in fine fettle.'

1st January 2024

annual dinner

The St Annes Masonic hall decked us out in Royal Blue and looked after us in the beautiful room with great food and wonderful service.

Founding Father Geoffrey made trophy presentations galore and too many to mention, you need to visit our honours page for all the details. Your eyes do not decieve you, that is the Longman Cup back in our hands! Drop in on our trophy cabinet (or scroll down here) to read all about our winning efforts this year.

Thanks to all those providing raffle prizes and for Jan, Allison and The Boss for working towards this wonderful evening. Alan, Betty and Ian gave us some music and allowed everyone to join in with the comb and paper.

25th November 2023

The 2023 News Is Archived Here

1st January 2024