Thankyou to Lesley for this… ‘If you have never played before why not try our Taster Day for Golf Croquet. It’s a great game. If you are interested in joining us please see the poster …’

Thames Valley Croquet Club is a Golf Croquet Club based at the Abbey Vale Cricket Ground (Hales & Hays Meadow) who meet twice a week on Mondays and Fridays all year round. They were formed in 1990 at the WI college in Marcham, and moved to the Cricket Club so that men and women will have equal access.

I see that a ladies croquet club was started up in 1921 and two lawns provided at the Albert Park in Abingdon. (From the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette – Saturday 14 May 1921. Image © Successor rightsholder unknown. Found in britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk.)

Over 750 runners started the Abingdon Marathon at 9am this morning from Tilsley Park.

5 miles into the race the field of runners crossed Abingdon Market Place. They came via Radley Lakes, where volunteers had cleared the track in places from fallen trees after Storm Brian.

The mum who beat the marathon record for a mum pushing a buggy in 2015, has had a second child, and was back attempting to beat the record for a double buggy Marathon run.

A lot of volunteers help at the marathon. They were from many different Abingdon organisations. Cadets were giving out water near the sailing club nearly 6 miles into the race.

At the corner of Lambrick Way and Peep-O-Day Lane there was a gathering of spectators and marshalls. The course then went twice round by Lambrick Way, up through Drayton, Milton and Sutton Courtenay then back down Peep-o-Day Lane.

The race was won by Tom Charles, of  Trafford Athletic Club in two hours 29 minutes and 29 seconds. Two weeks ago Tom finished second in the York Marathon in two hours 25 minutes.

Hilary Mott, from Cheltenham, was the first woman to finish in a time of two hours 49 minutes and 50 seconds.

The first two Abingdon Athletic Club runners home were Peter Akrill

and Thomas Coney. Both were inside 3 hours.

Out on the course people were running for the next couple of hours, encouraged by a lot of locals.

Marshalls did their best to keep the traffic flowing, without stopping runners, in the two of three places where runners had to cross busy roads.

More pictures on the Abingdon Blog Facebook page.

Thanks to Mike for this …

Two weeks ago, The Thames Valley Croquet Club held their annual Ladies Day Golf Croquet tournament at their grounds in Hales Meadow, Abingdon.

The tournament was well attended. Participants coming from the Isle of Wight, Dorset, Oxfordshire and surrounding counties. Competition was fierce, and for the first time the winners and runners-up were from the host club. A very good day was had by all.

Last week the winners of our tournament went to Taunton to compete in the Women’s Institute Inter-federation Golf Croquet tournament and came out on top to win that tournament also.

The club is looking for new faces, of both sexes, of all abilities, from absolute beginners to previous players, and all ages. So why not come along and give us a try.

We play throughout the year, on Mondays and Fridays 1.30pm – 4.30pm in the Summer and 11am – 2.30pm in Winter. Membership fees are modest. Our courts are within the Abingdon Vale Cricket Club grounds, Hales Meadow, Culham Road, Abingdon.

If you have never played before we will happily give coaching. We are a friendly bunch and you will be made very welcome. Enjoy some fresh air, gentle exercise and give the grey matter a workout!

For more details, please give Mike a ring on 01235203082 or drop in to the Club and make yourself known.

P.S Golf Croquet has simpler rules than Association Croquet (each turn is just a single stroke), but it requires a similar level of accuracy and tactical awareness.