Category: News

Just under £600 was raised this morning at the club’s first fundraising event for 2026.
A great turnout of members and supporters made for a morning of chat with delicious homemade cake and coffee, with wonderful raffle prizes donated by a number of local sponsors.

This weekend sixteen top croquet players, from north, south, east and west and including our very own Chris Higgins, took the ferry across the Solent waters to play their ‘A’ level national final championship in Ryde, Isle of Wight. 

The weather, although fine, wasn’t as warm as it might have been, but this did not deter the players – nor indeed the spectators! Chris played seven matches on Saturday, all closely fought, to gain a place in the Plate finals. He missed out on a place in the Cup Finals – the very very top of the nationals – by just three hoops!

Come Sunday, tensions were high as each player battled it out for the Plate. Chris came through the quarter and semi finals unscathed and smiling, fighting off players from Ashby de la Zouch and Backworth (Northumberland) before meeting Martin Read from Hurlingham in the final play off. In each game of the final, he was well ahead until some cunning tactics on the part of Martin, and a bit of bad luck for Chris, handed Martin the Plate on the ‘golden hoop’.

Throughout the weekend the level of skill, clearing balls, running hoops and tactically outwitting the opposition, was incredible to watch and indeed, inspiring. 

Many congratulations to Chris – very well done and well deserved!

Lizzy Darbyshire

Bob Strover competed in the National ‘B’ Level (4+) final that took place on 20/21 September at Budleigh Salterton CC, Devon. A tough schedule meant that during the two day competition the 16 finalists all played each other resulting in 15 games for each participant. In the end, only two finalists won 12 of their games, Bob and Adrian Coward of the home club.

Despite this sterling performance Bob missed out on top spot by a difference of just 15 hoops thereby achieving runner up. This is a great performance for a member of our club at National Level and I’m sure makes us very proud.

For a full report click here

A fun day was had by all in the village today as members of the Bowling and Croquet clubs exchanged weapons and tried out a different sport. There were challenges for all in unknown territory. The Bishop Monkton Bowlers new to croquet definitely have some hidden talents and who knows , maybe some croquet players found bowling great fun too!

Congratulation to our winners Jen Bradshaw and Mark Summerscales for the highest number of hoops and bowls scored.

Let’s hope we can do it all again next year. Congratulations to Pam Richardson and Carol Pawson and their willing helpers for organising the day.

BMCC retained the Cross Pennine League title. In a repeat of their performance last year, of 6 matches, the club won 4 , drew 1 and lost 1 becoming 2025 league champions. Well done to all those that took part and supported the victorious team.

20th August saw BMCC host the YCF ‘C’ (7+) level play tournament. Eight players from Ripon Spa, Sheffield Parkhead, Brodsworth and Bishop Monkton croquet clubs fought it out in an all play all timed format. Despite the cold winds there was plenty of close action with Nick Barraclough (below) in his first season winning 6 of his 7 games to claim the trophy. John Atack (Brodsworth) kept the pressure on throughout to win 5 of his 7 games.

Thanks go to Bob and Jackie Strover for organising the day and to Michael Franklin of Ripon Spa for acting as referee.

Bishop Monkton Croquet Club

*** A DATE FOR YOUR SOCIAL CALENDAR ***

SATURDAY 6^TH SEPTEMBER at 2PM

A FUN CROQUET/BOWLING AFTERNOON

Croquet members can try Flat Green Bowling!

Bowling members can try Croquet!

(Mallets and Bowls can be provided)

And – of course – we’ll finish with tea and cake

It should be a really enjoyable afternoon so if you’d like to come along, or you’d like more details please contact:-

Pam Richardson

Mobile – 07983 746885

Email – pambm22@hotmail.com

Playing in the final YF Handicap league match of the season, the team of Jill Barraclough, Nick Barraclough and Bob Strover (pictured right side) emerged victorious against Brodsworth CC with a score of 8 games to 4. After some close fought tussles, Bishop Monkton are unbeaten in this league and thus become Yorkshire Federation champions for 2025. Well done to all those that played in and supported the matches this season.

On the 30th of July Ben Rhydding CC were our opponents in the latest Yorkshire Federation Level Play League.  Under the sunny skies of Bishop Monkton, Gill Brent, Jo-Ann Hughes and Chris Higgins despite some tight games emerged victorious by a score of 12-0.  Our next fixture is a return visit to Ben Rhydding in the Cross Pennine League on Tuesday 5th August where undoubtedly they will be seeking revenge.