Heywood woman wins national croquet trophy

Photo: Chester Croquet Club

Anne Alvey receiving the All England Association croquet handicap trophy

Heywood resident Anne Alvey, who plays at Bury Croquet Club, is the 2023 Croquet Association All England AC handicap champion for its centennial year, joining a select group of women who have won the competition.

In the tournament held at Chester Croquet Club, Anne narrowly beat Gareth Hobby from Caversham Croquet Club in the final.

Eight qualifiers from national heats held around England travelled to Chester to compete in these finals, held over two days.

For her efforts, Anne now holds the splendid trophy for the year and Bury Croquet Club has a shield presented to the Croquet Association by the New Zealand Croquet Council in 1956 for the club of the current champion.

Bury club chairman Roy Spencer said: “The club are naturally delighted and proud that Anne has won this trophy. She was up against some very strong opposition and held her nerve in some very competitive games.

“It also proves the point that croquet is a sport that women can play on equal terms with men.”

Whilst based in Bury, the club has a number of very active members from the Rochdale area, and attracts players from the north Greater Manchester area including Bolton.

It also has a number of members based in Yorkshire and as far away as Penrith.

Details regarding the club can be found on www.burycroquet.com.