Always on
This project successfully funded on 10th November 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
Sussex County Croquet Club Clubhouse Modernisation
Brighton, West Sussex, United Kingdom
First target reached!
You can help this project to raise more and reach its stretch target.
Aim
We are aiming to upgrade the current wooden clubhouse which is over a century old and poorly suited to the needs of members and visitors
Who are we?
Sussex County Croquet Club is one of the world's oldest and largest clubs, and has been on its current site for over 125 years. We have around 200 members and host major national and international croquet events, including World Championships.
Why are we crowdfunding?
Sussex County Croquet Club in Southwick offers outstanding facilities for the playing of croquet. The Club is affiliated to Croquet England and its eleven lawns have hosted National, European and World Championships. Each year the Club is the principal venue for the Inter-County Association Croquet Championship and the Inter-County Golf Croquet Championship: these prestigious UK tournaments are among the largest croquet events held anywhere in the world.
Continuing to host these events not only helps maintain the profile of croquet but also provides funds to keep down the costs of membership.
While our lawns are world class, the current wooden buildings are over a century old and poorly suited to the needs of members. Access and use can be particularly challenging for players and visitors with physical challenges, and poor insulation makes it cold for older members to enjoy in the winter.
The kitchen is ill-designed and doesn’t meet modern catering requirements, even though major events may require a hundred or more people be fed. The ability to provide catering and a comfortable environment is key to continuing to attract major events.
We support local schools and host Charity days for charities such as The Alzheimer’s Association. Croquet is particularly beneficial for those suffering from early-stage Alzheimer's or Dementia, and several of our members sadly have that condition.
We are intending to upgrade our facilities over the next 12-18 months and already have planning permission and to improve the look, functionality, accessibility, and energy rating of the buildings.
Our aim is to retain their historic nature of the site while providing a modern, accessible club house with facilities that are appropriate for one of England’s leading clubs and a world-leading croquet venue.
How we’ll spend the money raised
We will use the funds raised towards updating the clubhouse and associated facilities. We aim to create a more welcoming environment for club members and visitors alike, by modernising the interior while retaining the historic look of the buildings.
The clubhouse will be extended and larger windows will be put in to enable visitors and players to watch the action on the lawns near the clubhouse.
Kitchen facilities will be improved to allow catering for the large numbers we attract to major competitions and Corporate days.
The toilets and changing facilities will be upgraded.
Improved insulation will enable the clubhouse to be used all year round for social events that can be enjoyed by all members of the club. The majority of our members are retired, and a significant proportion of those are over 70. The club has members who care for parents or spouses, and the improved facilities will enable them to attend more regularly with those they are caring for.
There is currently little provision for those who have physical challenges, and the project with improve accessibility to all parts of the clubhouse.
Community impact
It’s important to explain the wider impact of your organisation for the whole community, who does it benefit and why? Perhaps your facilities are used for other purposes outside of sport too?
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How you can play your part
There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!
4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made