News

Thursday 17th April 2025

Belsay’s Croquet Season started today on an afternoon that was bright and sunny but cool. 17 members graced the lawns. Some were rustier than others, depending on whether they had played elsewhere during the winter but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

A new noticeboard was fitted to the outside of the hut and will be used to advertise the Club and the monthly Taster Sessions that will be offered this season.

We were visited by a local freelance journalist, Tim Morton, who has a regular page in the Tyne Valley Express newspaper that is delivered to homes in the Tyne Valley. He talked with us about how croquet helps maintain our well-being and the importance of exercise that is not too strenuous as we deal with the ageing process. His article will probably be published in the July/August issue.

Thursday 21st November 2024

Belsay’s ‘Trophy Presentation Dinner’ was held in Morpeth Golf Club where some 30 members and guests attended and enjoyed a three-course meal.

This was followed by Chair Pauline awarding the winners’ trophies for the past season’s various AC and GC one-day and season long competitions.

To round off a very sociable evening the 5 ‘Table Teams’ took part in a three part Trivial Pursuit like quiz. This was won by the Chair and special guests on, aptly, Table 1! ( It should be pointed out that neither the Chair nor her husband took part as they had devised the quiz).

Unfortunately, this year, we don’t have any photographs of the proceedings – something we must address for next year!

Very well done to Pauline and Arnie for organising this year’s formal and convivial Presentation Dinner.

Monday 2nd September 2024

Belsay’s annual Ricochet competition was held on a damp and dismal day (unusual for Belsay Hall)! with 8 members competing for the ‘Silhouette Picture’ trophy in an all-play-all format of 7 x 30 minute rounds. The aim was to score the most hoops over the 7 rounds.

The winner was David Millener with 44 hoop points.

Saturday 31st August 2024

Both Belsay CN GC teams were in action today. The Division 1 team were playing Bamburgh at home and won 12 games to 6 whilst the Division 3 team were away to Tyneside CC and won 16 games to 2.

Very well done to both teams. A very successful end to the 2024 season.

Saturday 17th August 2024

Belsay was well represented in the annual Croquet North GC Doubles competition held for the second year at Bamburgh Croquet Club. 9 Belsay CC members took part in a field of 28. Two, 7 pair, divisions were created based on aggregate handicaps, with an all-play-all format in each division.

The winners of Div 1 were James Edgar and Bill Brook (ah/c 4) of Bamburgh CC and Div 2 winners were Alan Mundy and Eddie Wilson (ah/c 16) of Belsay Hall CC.

Div 1 winners received the Taylor Plates and Div2 the Freda Vitty Plates.

Well done Alan and Eddie on your first CN Golf Croquet Open Doubles triumph!

Very many thanks to the day’s organiser, Barbara Harris and her team of willing helpers, for the enviable hospitality Bamburgh CC provide in this wonderful setting for a croquet tournament. Long may it continue to be an annual event!

Wednesday 14th August 2024

Belsay’s CN GC League Division 3 team played Backworth CC at Backworth and lost 11 games to 7.

Monday 5th August 2024

The longstanding Croquet North Golf Croquet Progressive Doubles was managed by Derek Johnson having taken over from Eric Nixon’s 15 + year role as previous organiser.

A field of 20 players from Auckland, Backworth, Tyneside and Belsay played 6 x 35 minute rounds on 4 half size courts with one court being double banked so all 20 players could each play all rounds. The day was warm and largely very sunny. An hour long lunch break allowed plenty of time to eat and for chatter.

The player pairs had been arranged in a high-low combination using Croquet Rankings and all pairs changed courts from their start positions at the end of each game – winning pair moving on 2 courts and losing pair moving 1 court and changing partners for the next round. This ensured no-one was stuck on the same court all day!

The higher ranking block winner was the Belsay member who had run the competition for the past 15 years without ever taking part, Eric Nixon with an unbeaten 6 wins. Well done Eric, a deserved reward!

The lower ranked winner was Derek Potter from Backworth CC. Well done Derek!

Derek Johnson presented the winners with bottles of wine (no doubt correctly ranked) and tea and cake provided by the manager was consumed by the courtside.

Very well done, Derek, on managing this year’s only CN Progressive Doubles Tournament.

Wednesday 1st August 2024

The annual friendly match against Backworth CC took place this year at Backworth with mixed member pairs battling it out on Backworth’s wonderful bowling green surfaces. Only a couple of showers interrupted play and Backworth’s new gazebo provided excellent cover.

A photo record of the day:-

Saturday 27th July 2024

On a day which threatened thunder and lightning, but only produced two heavy showers, Belsay’CN GC League Division 1 team played Durham CC at Chester-le-Street and lost 14 games to 4.

Wednesday 24th July 2024

In resurrecting a Golf Croquet competition, unplayed for many years, between the only two English Heritage sites to host croquet clubs a team of 4 players from Belsay travelled to Brodsworth Hall in South Yorkshire to compete for The English-Heritage Trophy.

Belsay Hall triumphed and retained the trophy by beating Brodsworth Hall by 13.5 games to 6.5 playing a series of doubles and singles matches similar to that used in the Croquet North Leagues.

Saturday 20th July 2024

Belsay’s CN League Division 3 team played Alnmouth Purple on a perfect croquet playing day at Belsay and, with the result not being decided until the final round of games, won 10 games to 8.

Friday 12th July 2024

On a blustery but fine Bamburgh day a team of 6 Belsay members played a friendly match against Bamburgh on the courts in front of the famous Bamburgh Castle.

Saturday 29th June 2024

Belsay’s CN GC League Division 1 team played Alnmouth Reds at home and lost 13 games to 5.

Friday 28th June 2024

Belsay’s CN League Division 3 team played Durham at home and, after a closely fought match won 10 games to 8. Play was interrupted by a heavy rain shower after the second round so lunch was taken early.

Results:-

Saturday 8th June 2024

Belsay’s One-Ball Tournament Day attracted a record entry of 18 club members this year.

Sue Furness organised and impeccably managed her first One-Ball event on a largely sunny but unseasonably cold June day.

0wing to the large entry there was no decision to be made on the court layout which had to be 4 x small courts to avoid too much ‘sitting out’ by competitors. An all-play-all was out of the question and seven 30 minute rounds was the order of the day with no one meeting the same opponent twice. The draw had been made using letters of the alphabet and as competitors turned up they randomly chose a letter. This was deemed to be the fairest way of matching players over a handicap range of 20 down to 1. Bisques were awarded to the weaker player based on one sixth of the handicap difference (rounded to the nearest half bisque). Most games finished within the half-hour and the day’s programme was easily kept to time with a 45 minute lunch break.

Wins earned 1 point and the sit-out competitors were awarded a half point.

The winner was Phil Errington on 6.5 points and the runner-up David Millener on 6 points.

The biggest surprise of the day was the offering of slices of home made lemon drizzle cake to everyone at lunch time by Sue Young. Many thanks Sue, for this, it really sweetened the morning’s losers into trying harder in the afternoon sessions!

(We’re indebted to Sue F who took the photograph and are looking for someone to photoshop her into the picture)!

Saturday 1st June 2024

Belsay’s CN Golf League Division 1 team played Auckland away at Chilton on their first match of the season. It was a bright and fine day with a very cold northerly wind and our lack of practice resulted in a 13-5 games defeat.

Monday 7th May 2024

Belsay’s Charity Fund raising Day Tournament got the season off to a good start with 27 members taking part in a mixed programme of games involving Golf Croquet, Ricochet, One-Ball and GoKay. The all doubles rounds on 4 small courts occupied 20 players at a time in frantic 30 minute sessions with each pair trying to score as many hoops and wins as possible.

It was very ably managed by Sue F (her first Fun Day tournament) with each pair of players comprising of a low and high bisquer for a more balanced outcome.

The low bisquer winner was Derek J on 6 wins out of 7 games and the high bisque winner was Daphne T on 5.5 wins out of 7. Both winners received token prizes and in addition Derek won a late donation of a bottle of wine as the overall winner of the day.

All enjoyed the customary tea and cake at the end of the fine but cool day.

Congratulations to the winners and many thanks to the tournament manager, tea and cake providers and general helpers who helped make the day so successful. £170 was raised for our chosen charity.

Wednesday 1st May 2024

On a cool but dry day Belsay’s Golf Croquet Division 3 team played Bede of Jarrow at Coulthard Park, Cleadon and were defeated 13 games to 5.

No croquet having yet been available at Belsay Hall this summer perhaps contributed to Belsay’s disappointing result?

Saturday 27th April 2024

The courts and hut will be prepared for use on Thursday 2nd May and the first day of play is now confirmed as Saturday 4th May.

Monday 15th April 2024

Unfortunately court preparation planned for this week has been disrupted by excessive rain and the season start date has now been estimated to be 4th May 2024.

Thursday 4th April 2024

We are planning the 2024 season will commence on Saturday 20th April.

It is hoped that the weather and courts preparation will be completed in the preceding week. Confirmation of the opening date will be communicated to all members around the 15/16th April.

Thursday 9th November 2023

The club Annual Dinner and Presentation of Trophies was held at Ponteland Golf Club with some 25 members, special guests Peter & Margaret Lowe (Peter is chair of Tyneside Croquet Club) and 3 English Heritage staff – Charlotte (Head of the Belsay Hall Castle and Gardens site), Ben a senior custodian and Debbie the Head Gardener.

The presentations were made by BHCC Chairman Colin Chun. All present then enjoyed a wholesome 3 course meal.

Eddie Wilson receiving his ‘Most Improved Player of the Year’ trophy from Colin Chun

Sue Caygill receiving her GC Division 2 winner trophy from Colin Chun

Eric Nixon with his GC Doubles KO trophy

Phil Errington receiving the AC Champion trophy from Colin Chun

BHCC Annual Dinner and Trophy Presentation at Ponteland Golf Club

Sunday 17th September 2023 – Last Day of the season.

The weather on the final day of play for the 2023 season was not particularly warm, but thankfully dry, for some 20 members to play competitive and very friendly games of golf croquet on short courts in 30 minute timed sessions. English Heritage had kindly erected a good size gazebo which performed its task of keeping the threatened rain at bay! (Note:- point for future)!

A picnic lunch at 1.00pm helped keep members energy levels up and the full court occupation made quite a spectacle thoughout the day for the many visitors to Belsay Hall & Castle.

Saturday 16th September 2023

Belsay Hall CC One-Ball competition took place on a dull but dry day with eight members taking part in an all-play-all league. Sue Furness had, for her first time, planned and organised the playing schedule but most unfortunately was unable to take part due to injury. However, owing to the completeness of Sue’s planning, the day was virtually self-programming – many thanks to Sue!

The ‘field’ comprised of 4 AC+GC and 4 GC only players using their lowest handicap between AC h/c or 2.5 times their GC h/c with the played handicap being a sixth of the difference between opponents. (normal rounding of fractions being employed).

To avoid double banking, all games were played on short courts and most games were won before the 30 minute time limit.

Two contestants finished on 6 wins and, using the first decider of who-beat-whom, Phil Errington was declared the winner with David Millener the runner-up.

Thursday 31st August 2023

Belsay Hall GC Div 2 team played Alnmouth Blues away at Alnmouth and Alnmouth won 11.5 games to 6.5 games.

Saturday 12th August 2023

Belsay Hall GC Div 2 team played Tyneside at Belsay the result being a 9 – 9 draw.

Friday 11th August 2023

Belsay Hall entertained Bamburgh CC in a friendly mixed-mixed doubles of golf croquet on full courts. Each player playing with various partners from the opposite club carrying their personal wins forward through each of 8 x 30 minute rounds. Fun for all! Congratulations to Pauline for so successfully organising her first tournament at Belsay Hall.

The winners (pictured below with their prizes) were, on the left from Bamburgh, Peter, and on the right from Belsay Hall, Robert. The organiser and master of ceremonies Pauline is in the centre.

Monday 7th August 2023

On a welcome return to proper summer weather Belsay Hall CC hosted 24 players from a number of Croquet North clubs to play the annual tournament of 8 rounds of Golf Croquet Progressive Doubles. Players from Auckland, Backworth, Durham, Tyneside & Belsay were all represented.

Expertly managing the event for his thirteenth and final time Belsay’s Eric Nixon even managed to play a couple of rounds himself as one participant had to withdraw at the last moment. The winner of the senior group was Don Morton (Backworth CC) and Jean Hattersley (Auckland CC) was winner of the junior group who were each awarded a prize.

The day ended with the players and supporters having the traditional tea and cake administered by Belsay’s wonderful helpers.

The Progressive Doubles players and helpers after their refreshments.

Saturday 5th August 2023

In the CN GC Division 2 Belsay Castle played Durham Cuthbert at Chester-le-Street and won 11.5 to 6.5 – Well done Belsay!

Saturday 1st July 2023

On a mostly sunny and occasionally blustery day Belsay’s annual Ricochet tournament brought 12 members to the challenge.

Utilising 4 short courts to avoid double banking allowed 8 players to play their six singles matches in each of nine 30 minute rounds.

Only one player managed to win all six rounds so there was no need for a total hoop count comparison and David Knowles is our Mr Rick O’Shay champion for 2023.

Everyone expressed their appreciation to Sue Furness for so successfully managing her first croquet tournament. Well done Sue!

Winner David Knowles receives the Ricochet Trophy from Chairman Colin

Friday 30th June 2023

All internal club competition charts AC & GC (and results where available) are now in the Members Section of the website.

Saturday 2nd June 2023

In the CN GC Division 2 Belsay Castle played Alnmouth ‘B’ at Alnmouth and lost 5.5 to 12.5.

Results:-

Saturday 27th May 2023

In the first CN GC Division 2 match of the season Belsay Castle beat Alnmouth Greens 11.5 to 6.5 at Belsay Hall.

Results:-

Sunday 14th May 2023

Belsay Hall’s second round match in the GC Inter-Club national competition against Chester CC was played today at Belsay Hall and Gardens in pefect croquet weather.

Whilst the morning doubles and two singles games went 2-1 in favour of Chester the afternoon four singles games gave Chester an overall win of 5 games to 2.

Chester CC move forward into the third round.

Tuesday 2nd May 2023

Belsay Hall’s first round match in the GC Murphy Shield national competition against Branston CC was played on neutral territory at York.

The result was as close as possible to a drawn match with the teams level on 3 points each. The final match went to the third game which was won 7 – 6 by Branston, who then took the match 4 – 3.

Monday 1st May – Charity Fun Day Tournament

On an occasionally sunny and occasionally wet very cold Monday Eric Nixon once again ably managed his umpteenth annual Chartity Fund Raising tournament at Belsay Hall CC .

Some 24 hardy club members each played, in pairs, six out of eight half-hour rounds of golf croquet, one ball (alternate stroke), alternate hoop GC & AC and ricochet croquet. Four short courts were in use with no repeated pairings of players.

The ‘level’ play games all consisted of high & low handicap partnerships resulting in a winner for each handicap category at the end of the day.

The high handicap winner was Brenda Johnson and the low handicap winner Derek Johnson.

The day finished in the tradtional manner with tea and cake kindly provided by both playing and non-playing club members.

A sum exceeding £120 will be donated to a deserving charity in due course.

Saturday 22nd April

Start of 2023 season today.

Saturday 22nd April

👏 Derek Johnson has qualified as a Golf Croquet referee. Congratulations Derek! 👏

Friday 21st April 2023

The (Middlesbrough) AC Special ‘B’ Advanced Play tournament took place at Tyneside CC this year involving nearly 9.0 hours of play and comprised of two blocks, each of four players, decided by handicap. The winner of the B block was David Millener (Belsay & Tyneside) with two wins out of three games having won a ‘Peg Shoot Out’ against Eric Nixon (Belsay & Tyneside) who was also on two wins out of three games.

As a result of these wins David’s AC handicap improves to 7.0 Congratulations David.

Tuesday 15th November 2022

Club Awards Lunch at Rialtos

In a change to the past few years the awards for the various club competitions of the 2022 season were made by our chairman, Colin Chun, before a mid-day meal for members, at Rialtos in Ponteland.

Tuesday 31st May 2022

Belsay Hall played Pendle in the first round of the GC Inter-Club Murphy Shield at Belsay.

Derek Johnson reports – Pendle came away victors in a closely fought match which went down to the third game of the top singles match as Paul Dowdall built up a commanding 5-1 lead that proved too much for Eric Nixon to come back from.

Belsay Hall team:- Eric Nixon (2), David Millener (3), Chris Wood (3) & Derek Johnson (4)

Pendle team:- Paul Dowdall (3), Libby Dixon (3), Mike Bradbury (6) & Karen Bamforth (9)

Doubles:- Eric Nixon & David Millener v Paul Dowdall & Libby Dixon 2-7, 4-7 Pendle win.

Singles:- Chris Wood v Karen Bamforth 7-5, 7-5 Belsay win.

Singles:- Derek Johnson v Mike Bradbury 7-6, 7-6 Belsay win.

Singles:- Eric Nixon v Paul Dowdall 5-7, 7-5, 4-7 Pendle win.

Singles:- David Millener v Libby Dixon 1-7, 5-7 Pendle win.

Singles:- Chris Wood v Mike Bradbury 0-7, 5-7 Pendle win.

Singles:- Derek Johnson v Karen Bamforth 7-5, 7-6 Belsay win.

Belsay lost 3 matches to 4 and now exit the competition for this year.

Sunday 15th May 2022

Charity One-Ball Competition.

There were 11 competitors for Belsay’s contribution to the national Charity One-Ball (Charity Funding) Championship which was very ably managed by Derek Johnson on a glorious May day. The format of two blocks, all playing all, was used. The finalists and runners-up in each block ‘cross played’ in semi-finals where David Millener played Derek Johnson and Arnie Clegg played Phil Errington. This produced a grand final between Derek Johnson and Arnie Clegg. Arnie triumphed 13 points to 11 and is our club One-Ball Champion for 2022! Very well done Arnie!

Thursday 12th May 2022

Belsay Hall played Durham in the preliminary round of the GC Inter-Club Murphy Shield at Belsay.

Belsay Hall Team:- E Nixon (2), D Millener (3), D Johnson (4) & D Knowles (6)

Croquet Durham Team:- R Carpenter (3), N Martin (3), W Steadman (5) & D Barron (6)

Doubles:- E Nixon + D Millener v R Carpenter + Nigel Martin 7-6, 6-7, 7-3 Belsay win

Singles:- D Johnson v D Barron 7-2, 7-6 Belsay win

Singles:- D Knowles v W Steadman 2-7, 5-7 Durham win

Singles:- E Nixon v R Carpenter 7-6, 3-7, 7-5 Belsay win

Singles:- D Millener v N Martin:- 5-7, 6-7 Durham win

Singles:- D Johnson v W Steadman 4-7, 7-4, 3-7 Durham win

Singles:- D Knowles v D Barron:- 7-2, 7-3 Belsay win

Belsay won 4 matches to 3 and meet Pendle & Craven in the next round – well done Belsay!

Storm Arwen (November 2021) – Damage at Belsay (Photographed Sunday 23rd January 2022)

A few conifers now missing behind wall with the stump of one still visible.

Thursday 18th November 2021

Annual Dinner & Prize Giving at Ponteland Golf Club

Over thirty members and guests enjoyed a 3 course meal at Ponteland Golf Club in a return to some normality after a pandemic restricted playing season. Only three Golf Croquet League competitions were played this year.

Chairman Colin Chun hosted the event which had been superbly organised once again by Brenda & Derek Johnson.

Saturday 18th September 2021

Racing Croquet Event

On 18th September 27 club members took part in the very first Racing Croquet event at Belsay.  Although a few members were apprehensive at first, everyone soon got into the swing of things with the competitive spirit in evidence.  The event was designed to be a social event with fun croquet involved and was aimed at bringing members, old and new, together.  With plenty of time for sitting out there was time for members to chat and get to know one another. This certainly seemed to work with members mixing, watching play and cheering the winners on.  With lots of members helping out on the day and many members bringing cake along it was all in all a great club day.

Singles Winner: Robert Nixon
Doubles Winners: Jacquie Errington and Sue Furness
Fewest Strokes Winner: Robert Nixon (13 strokes)
Fastest Round Winner: Robert Nixon (1:12)

Saturday 28th – Monday 30th August

Belsay ‘Stay and Play Weekend’

Saturday 21st August 2021

Croquet North’s Bamburgh Team Event was held once again on the cricket field beneath the Castle on a very wet Saturday. Seven northern clubs were represented each fielding a team of six players from which any four played in each of 6 rounds.

Again the organisation by Jamie and his Bamburgh CC members was superb. The playing time scheduled was adhered to and there was a constant supply of hot drinks, sausage rolls and cakes for all.

The winning team was Alnmouth CC who took away the Alice Fleck trophy for yet anther year.

Saturday 14th August 2021

From Sunday 15th August play on full courts can re-commence. Care should be taken to avoid walking unnecessarily on the re-seeded areas to give maximum opportunity for the seed to germinate.

If half court play is preferred please use half courts 2 & 3 in the first instance.

Friday 6th August 2021

Following significant rain and partial re-seeding of short courts 1 an 4, play can re-commence from Monday 9th August on short courts 2 and 3. This allows the scheduled ‘New Members’ GC Tournament to take place on the 9th August and normal GC & AC sessions from the 10th August but only on short courts 3 and 4.

Care should be exercised in not walking on the re-seeded areas of short courts 1 and 4 for the following week.

Thursday 29th July 2021

Alnmouth Croquet Club have extended an invitation to all Belsay members to join them to play croquet on any of their Tuesday or Friday club afternoon sessions during 2021. The club session starts at 1.00pm but visitors may turn up anytime from 12 noon. (There is a very nominal charge of £1.00 for the afternoon).

Thursday 29th July 2021

For a second time in a week Belsay’s GC Team played Alnmouth Reds – this time at Alnmouth – in the CN Northern League and again drew 9 games each.

Tuesday 27th July 2021

All club play suspended for the time being owing to very dry grass and the damage which may be caused to the courts. (Ref:- Chairman’s email on the subject).

However, the Croquet North GC Progressive Doubles Tournament on Monday 2nd August will still take place.

Saturday 17th July 2021

Belsay’s GC Team played Alnmouth Reds at Belsay in the CN Northern League and drew 9 games each.

Friday 9th July 2021

Belsay’s GC team played Bamburgh (away) in the CN Northern League and lost 5 – 13.

Saturday 3rd July 2021

Belsay CC’s GC Team played Alnmouth Blues (at Belsay) in the CN Northern League and won 17 games to 1.

Thursday 22nd April 2021

The April 2021 Newsletter is now available. To view click here and then double click the text.

Monday 19th April 2021

Club opens for the season on Saturday 24th April.

Two full size courts or four half size courts available for booking.

Tuesday 13th April 2021

Covid protocols issued by chairman for compliance from 24th April 2021 until further notice.