Caterham Croquet Club celebrated its 25th anniversary at Queen's Park on Saturday 2nd July. A good turnout of club members and a few young guests celebrated with croquet challenges and games. A fine tea with a croquet court cake followed in true club tradition. Since its foundation in 1986, the club has built two fullsized lawns in Queen's Park with the support of Tandridge District Council, and has over 40 members. Starting with association croquet, the club now also supports golf croquet, which has become the more popular game with many members over the last decade.

Caterham competes in two South Eastern Croquet Federation leagues each year and has even won them a few times!

Unfortunately none of the founders could attend but the club stalwarts, Chairman John Gilbert and his wife Olive were there to host proceedings and cut the special anniversary cake. John and Olive joined the club in 1990 and are still very active members.

John said: "I'm very pleased that the club is healthy and continuing to develop after 25 years. We get superlative service from the Queen's Park team, Phil and Graham."

Graham Petifer, groundsman at Queen's Park, cut the first sod for the club's first lawn and is still looking after both lawns today. The first time he cut the lawn Graham used a rotary mower! Thankfully, today's cylinder mowers should keep the lawns in excellent shape for croquet in Caterham for at least another 25 years.