Take-Off to Roade

Aim

Our aim to is develop a new home for Croquet at a site in Roade, Northamptonshire and encourage wider participation for all.

Take off to Roade

In order to be able to continue making croquet accessible to all, we urgently need to establish our club in a new home and bring it into use.

Take-off to Roade is a play on words since a Take-off is a match winning tactic in croquet, where you take a ball into a strategic position to go through a  hoop or to use another ball and secure a win. Our plan is to establish a new home for croquet in Roade, Northamptonshire. With your help we believe our Take-Off will be a winner !

About Croquet: 

• Croquet is an activity that can be enjoyed by all. 
• It appeals to people of all ages ,abilities and crosses the generational and ethic divides.
• It promotes gentle physical and mental exercise as well as an increase in well-being encouraged by safe social interaction -it is also a great family experience.

About the Site: 

As you can see the site we've found is one of natural beauty  which we'll preserve and enhance with the introduction of a wild flower garden.

About the Plan: 

Our approach for developing the site is in 3 phases. The picture below shows the planned layout that will take a few years to achieve.

• Phase 1: Establish 2 lawns (labelled 1 & 2 below) the main thrust of this campaign. A croquet lawn is smaller than a bowls green but ideally developed to the same high standard for truly fast paced games. We have also planned for the necessary secure storage, lawn care equipment; including a water supply and of course toilet facilities.
• Phase 2: Fund and install a suitable club house (a stretch goal of this campaign) ; to escape inclement weather as well as provide a base to prepare that hot drink on a cold day or cold drink in the summer. We’ll also prepare a patio area for spectators to enjoy our sport and this fantastic space.
• Phase 3: The final phase will see us preparing the lawns labelled 3 & 4. This will allow us to return to the national competition arena for a truly inspiring club.

About us: 

• Northampton Croquet club was established in 1986, playing on a single lawn in Becketts Park, Northampton. After a few years with increased interest, it moved to the grounds of St. Andrews Hospital and thrived to build the club capabilities from 2 to 4 lawns and a strong membership that crossed the 60 member barrier.
• At the onset of COVID-19, our hosts required the land that we had occupied for over 30 years for other uses, so we began our search for a new home and after visiting well over 100 sites we believe we have found a space to develop for the future. 
• We are particularly encouraged and pleased to be able to introduce croquet to a wider group of younger people, an avenue denied us due to the nature of the residents of St. Andrews (no under 18's permitted on the lawns). 
• We have sought advice from both other clubs faced with similar challenges and other sources to ensure that we are also equipped to maintain and support what we build. 
• So please review how you might help us and even if you cannot support us financially be assured you will receive a warm welcome from the club if you want to give croquet a try. 
• You can take advantage of our qualified coaches as well as be partnered with a 'buddy' who as an experienced player and club member can ensure you get the most out of your experience and will introduce you to other club members. 
• We have all the equipment you need so no need for any investment and if subscriptions are problematical the club has a policy to offer reduced fees to those in need. 

and finally..

Yes, it is true after a day on the lawns in competition we like to adjourn for that deserved cup of tea and a slice of cake and catch up socially with those we haven't played with or talk tactics for the next session.

Thank you for your support.

This project successfully funded on 28th January 2022