Bury Croquet on Tour - Malta 10th-15th September 2023
Ten club members spent 5 days in Malta from the 10th September, as guests of Malta Croquet Club. A long-awaited trip that had to be postponed due to the pandemic.
Members who visited: Roy Spencer, Margaret Eccles,
Ken Eccles, Lynne Gaukroger, Pat Lord, Bernard Lord, Vi Richards, Phil Nuttall, Helena Nuttall and our intrepid organiser Richard Harvey.
The croquet club is based at the magnificent Marsa Sports Club, which is also home to The Royal Malta Golf Club, Malta Cricket Club and a number of other sports. It has excellent facilities, bar, restaurant and lovely outdoor swimming pool and spa.
We were honoured that the Sports club Chairman, Mr Godwin Borg, took the time to come down to the lawns to welcome us and watch some games on both days of our visit.
The croquet club has two full lawns that are situated on the perimeter of the cricket grounds and the members play twice weekly usually in the mornings.
On Sunday evening we were joined by 10 of the Malta members for drinks on our hotel roof pool area where we were formerly welcomed by Club Chairman Mike Tibbett.
On Monday morning we joined them at the lawns for informal friendly “acclimatisation” games to get used to both the lawns - and the heat! 31 DEGREES!!! Needless to say, some of the Bury squad were delighted to take advantage of the fabulous pool facilities!
On Tuesday we took an open top bus tour of the South part of the island.
We returned for more Croquet on Wednesday morning. Following an exchange of a flag and pennant, an informal doubles comp took place. Again, because of the heat, we played games of only 9 hoop - first to 5. It was organised by club vice chairman and club founder Douglas McQueen.
Whilst the Bury squad performed well in the heat and on unfamiliar lawns, the home side won by 3 games. However, a number of games were taken to the ninth (golden) hoop.
On conclusion of play the club members kindly hosted a very pleasant and relaxing lunch in the sports club restaurant.
More sightseeing on Thursday, and in the evening our hosts joined us for an excellent farewell dinner in a waterside restaurant.
This was a wonderfully well organised trip with great hosts, lovely friendly people who made us most welcome, much fun & laughter, enjoyable games of croquet and most importantly new friendships have been forged.
Thank you, Malta Croquet Club!