Croquet Trip Gets Lymington Care Home Residents In The Swing

Croquet on the lawn helped a Lymington care home party prove it’s never too late to try a new sport.

More than a dozen residents from Colten Care’s Court Lodge enjoyed a gentle afternoon at the town’s Woodside Gardens park receiving tips from members of Lymington Croquet Club.

Among those swinging the mallet for the first time was 87-year-old great grandmother Phyllis Walbanke.

“It’s so nice to come along here and try something new,” said Phyllis, a former photographer for Woman’s Own magazine who has Lived in Lymington for 40 years.

Phyllis and fellow resident Eileen Simpson were the first to knock a ball through the hoops under the guidance of Club Chair Margaret Skeldon and Deputy Chair Gordon Carter.

Margaret said: “We were only too pleased to welcome our friends from Court Lodge and give them a taste of what is a very sociable sport that is becoming more and more popular.”

As well as the chance of some hands-on practice, the visitors were treated to afternoon tea at the club house.

Home Manager Sam Reid said: “The idea of playing croquet was mentioned at one of our regular residents and relatives’ meetings. The club is virtually on our doorstep and we thought we would give it a go. Everyone has had a super time and I’m sure we’ll want to come back again. We thank all at the club for their help.”

Lymington Croquet Club was founded in a back garden in Sway in 1995 and now has a dedicated lawn at Woodside Gardens.

According to the Croquet Association, there are more than 200 croquet clubs in the UK with top players competing internationally.