CA Diplomas honouring outstanding service to croquet by Bath members

Each year The Croquet Association ask member clubs to suggest someone within their membership who ‘has given outstanding service to croquet’ to receive the CA Diploma.

It was a pleasure for the committee to nominate not one but two members who have, since joining our club, been continually involved in working to ensure the club thrives.

We were delighted when our submissions for both Hester Henebury and Tony Curson were accepted. Whilst our awards were presented personally at Club events time was given at the CA AGM on 15th October to read the citations submitted.

Please read our citations to discover why Hester and Tony deserved to be awarded their CA Diploma. Congratulations both!

Hester Henebury

Hester first took up croquet in 2008 engaging in the introductory lessons for Association Croquet offered at Bath. She settled into the game very quickly and was soon captain of Bath’s B-league team, moving rapidly to improve her handicap to play in the Intermediate and then Federation leagues.
But she wanted others to get the same enjoyment from croquet that she did. She was soon instrumental in running the club’s annual recruitment drive, developing the format as circumstances warranted. However, she didn’t leave it at that. Once newcomers had joined, she was conscious that those new members required support to feel fully involved and developed a buddying ethos within the club. Her commitment to coaching was such that she took the necessary Croquet Association course and obtained her ‘Club coach’ badge.
She also regularly volunteers to run tournaments and always does so with considerable preparation and hence efficiency on the day.
Her involvement in the fun and social aspect of croquet has led her to launch ‘tea and croquet’ in the summer and ‘mince pies and racing croquet’ in December which have become part of the club’s annual fixtures.
It is a testament to her enthusiasm that she never has any difficulties in getting volunteers to assist her in all the various activities that she has organised.
In addition to all of this, she serves as a very able, and valued, Committee Secretary producing comprehensive minutes within days of the meetings and undertaking a host of admin duties associated with the role, all of which take time and require a well organised mind.
Her contribution to the club and croquet as a whole has been invaluable and we would wish for her achievements to be recognised.

Tony Curson

On joining Bath CC Tony immediately threw himself into positively engaging in the wider areas of club life. He has a problem-solving attitude and is forward thinking, anticipating situations before others, and is on many occasions the first to be abreast of and share national and regional croquet news.

He is a skilful croquet player, taking his game very seriously, and his interest in the GC area of the game over many years has not only led to his being a competent team captain, but to capably coach and encourage new and existing members and take on the role of Tournament Manager for both internal and CA events. Whilst, he would probably agree, GC is his main passion, he quite ably turns his hand to the game of AC and has supported the club teams for league matches.
Being an ‘all-rounder’ Tony is also a valuable member of the lawns team, again when attention to detail is needed, measuring out lawns and hoop setting and he can often be seen carrying out running repairs when we have had visits from the abundant wildlife frequenting our lawns. His technical abilities also extend to IT and he actively promotes the club to the wider community by routinely updating our website and ensuring we have a regular presence in the local press. He also produces the club newsletter.
Tony has willingly given his time serving as a valued and respected committee member and his expertise was vital when working through the legal requirements and planning regulations in preparation for the replacement of facilities alongside our lawns. He is meticulous in his preparation, his attention to detail is exemplary and his love of croquet is infectious. Every Club needs a ‘Tony’!