Sunday 7th June 2026
The re-scheduled Charity Fun Day Tournament took place on a ‘far better weather’ day with 22 members attending – nominally 18 actual competing players plus helpers/facilitators.
(Following a long tradition the minimum ‘entry fee’ of £5 per player, amounting to £XXX has, this year, been donated to Cancer Research UK).
The revised format followed last year’s arrangement with 16 players playing doubles over 9 rounds of alternating golf croquet, ricochet and one-ball. A different two players ‘rested’ each round.
Each pair comprised of a low(er) bisque player and a high(er) bisque player. Points were awarded for wins and hoop scores were recorded in the case of a draw.
At the end of an enjoyable and albeit sometimes frenetic day the low bisque winner was Dave Okell. The higher bisque winner was Margaret Lambton.
Many thanks to Sue Furness for organising the tournament and managing the day’s play – another notch on your gun Sue, WELL DONE!
Many thanks also to the CAKE and BISCUIT providers who ensure these whole day tournaments are suitably sweetened.
Saturday 6th June 2026
Belsay’s GC Division 2 team travelled to Exhibition Park to play Tyneside Hunters and came away with their first win of the season – 10.5 games to 7.5.
Well done Belsay!
Friday afternoon 5th June 2026
An early season competition had Belsay Hall Gardeners (both full-time & volunteer) playing a number of 20 minute sessions of golf croquet progressive doubles against club members. The numbers participating allowed for two courts of double banked games, accommodating 16 players in each round.
This year, for the first time, the gardeners formed their own pairs, as did club members, rather than having mixed pairs. Club members showed the value of their extra court time by winning all but 3 of the of the matches although the total hoop points scored by each side showed a much closer ‘battle’.
A fine afternoon inspired quick play, many surprising shots and much hilarity.
A really good time was had by all!
Wednesday 3rd June 2026
The Taster Sessions in June and July are now fully booked. A total of 25 people have signed up to try croquet. The next session takes place on Saturday 13th June.
Monday 1st June 2026
The season is well underway and the early rounds of the Golf Croquet Singles and Doubles competitions are complete. We now move into the Quarter Finals in both competitions. These are to be played by 30th June.
| Singles Knockout Quarter Finals | Doubles Knockout Quarter Finals | ||||
| Alan Mu v. Dave Ok | Arnie Cl & Jeff Le v. Jean Th & Laurence Yo | ||||
| Pauline Cl v. Sue Ca | Dave Ok & Eileen Co v. Steve Gr & Alan Mu | ||||
| Robert Ni v. Arnie Cl | Sue Ca & Pauline Cl v. Alison Ok & Sarah Sc | ||||
| Jeff Le v. Eric Ni | Robert Ni & John HI v. Eric Ni & Colin Ho |
Monday 11th May 2026
The GC Squad Mayhem Competition took place on a cold but dry day. Eight players, grouped by handicap cap into two, supposedly equally matched teams, completed in a standard two,lawn, 18-game match with each player taking part in three doubles and three singles games. The stakes were heightened with the Singles games being recorded on the green GC Handicap Cards.
Team Middleton (Dave, Roger, Sue and Eileen) defeated Team Monck (Alison, Brenda, Laurence and Steve) by a game score of 13:5.
Roger won the award for Star Shooter, winning 5 out of six of his games.
Steve won Most Improved Player, rising from 7th to 5th in the pecking on the day.
A special mention is needed for Eileen who provided flapjack that easily exceeded an adult’s daily calorie requirement in each slice!
Alan ably managed the tournament and chatted to some very interesting spectators from Seattle who were really impressed with the visual impact of everyone being dressed in white.
‘Rainday’ Sunday 3rd May 2026
The Charity Fun Day was postponed due to heavy overnight rain and a bad forecast for the duration of the tournament.
The rescheduled date is now Monday 7th June.
Friday 24th April 2026
The Belsay gardeners have taken advantage of the fine weather and have cut the court grass to a croquet playable level earlier this week. Marking out of the courts and hoop setting by club members have prepared the courts so play can start today!
The first club session of the season will be tomorrow, Saturday 25th April, at 2.00pm
Wednesday 25th March 2026
Preparations are in hand for the 2026 season to commence on Saturday 2nd May 2026.
If this date were to change notification will be published here.
Thursday 20th November 2025
Belsay Hall Croquet Club’s annual dinner and trophy presentation evening took place at Morpeth Golf Club.
Our chair, Pauline (and her husband, Arnie) once again very ably organised the event and some 22 members and guests enjoyed a three course meal whilst completing a word and picture quiz.
Table 4 were the Quiz winners and in true croquet spirit proceeded to share their prize of Cadbury’s Heroes with all present.
After a short address from Pauline re-capping the club’s numerous tournaments, some being played for the very first time, along with our Croquet North League performances the trophies were presented to the winners.
In the annual Golf Croquet match against Brodsworth Hall, at Belsay this year, Belsay won and retained the Claret Jug Trophy which will continue to be displayed in Belsay Hall’s cafe.
Pauline presenting the happy winners with their trophies:-
Monday 13th October 2025
Taking advantage of an unusual extension to our playing season, ever busy Alan Mundy arranged an all-day Golf Croquet, ‘Low Handicap’, Tournament for 8 club members – this time including himself!
An all-play-all format had been devised for the two courts with double banking so all eight players played seven 40 minute rounds with a different opponent each round. (This takes some working out to ensure players played as near an equal number of times on each court and similarly with primary and secondary balls). A novel starting position for each game was trialled whereby one pair of players started conventionally in corner 4 with hoop 1 as their first hoop whilst the other pair started in corner 2 with hoop 3 as their first hoop, also being pre-awarded 1 point each for hoops 1 & 2. This second pair then had to play to hoop 15, or first to 8 hoop points for a win, The idea being to avoid meeting the other game (generally) between hoops 5 & 6, guaranteeing a delay for one of the pairs. This objective was met but there were still instances of one game being delayed as a result of catching up with the other game on that court. There was minimal confusion with the hoop 2 start pair having to play first to 8 hoops and most games finished within the 40 minutes.
A fantastically fine and sunny day for October encouraged a wonderful atmosphere and robust singles competition.
A scoring system designed to favour games fully completed within the 40 minutes kept the competition undecided until the final round.
Many thanks to Alan for his organisation and management, to Eileen as scorer, to the cake providers and to other club spectators who helped with the various tasks associated with a tournament day.
Monday 15th September 2025
A first for Belsay – Alan Mundy arranged an all-day, Golf Croquet, ‘High Handicap’ Tournament for recent (and not so recent) club recruits using a ‘Swiss’ format. Play comprised of a mixture of 7 and 13 point singles and doubles games with variation in hoop sequence over 35 minute sessions. Individuals carried their own scores forward in case of a tie on number of games won at the end of the day.
The weather was not kind – a mixture of light and heavy rain – with a welcome break in the clouds after lunch.
Not wishing to miss the opportunity of giving our more recent members the option of moving on from using club mallets and being able to choose a new personal mallet, Chris Alvey of ‘DB’ mallets had been invited to attend with his range of very modern, composition head, carbon fibre shafted mallets. (This invitation had also been communicated to other Croquet North clubs).
Monday 8th September 2025
The annual CN Golf Croquet Progressive Doubles tournament was played at Belsay today (later than normal due to a weather related site closure on its scheduled date of 4th August). All previous attendees were invited to the new date but only 12 of the original 20 found it suitable so a call went out advertising available places. With a healthy response from Middlesbrough a gathering of 16 players ( collectively representing Auckland, Backworth, Belsay, Middlebrough & Tyneside ) took to the courts playing 6 rounds of high/low doubles partnerships with court progression for both winners and losers after each round. Four short courts were in use and no double banking was necessary. All players were ordered according to their Dynamic Grades with, for the first round, position 1 being partnered with position 16, 2 with 15 etc.
Most of the day was warm and sunny with a couple of showers interspersing, but not stopping, play.
No one player had a clean sweep. The ‘high’ grade group was won by Julian Gibson ( MBCC) and the ‘low’ grade group by Chris Stuttard (also MCC).
Very ably managed by Derek Johnson the traditional tea and cake wound up a very pleasant and friendly day of competitive golf croquet.
Wednesday 27th August 2025
Belsay B beat Backworth B 10:8 in their final Croquet North GC Division 2 League Match of the season. At the halfway stage, Belsay were leading 5:4. The 4th round saw Backworth fight back to make it 6:6. The 5th round saw Belsay pull ahead 8:7. Going into the 6th and final round, the match result could have gone either way, but Belsay prevailed to win 10:8.
Special mention is to be made of our substitute, Alan Scarlett, who was called up at short notice. Despite this being his first CNF match, he wielded his mallet with skill and seemed to enjoy the event immensely.
The team was Alan Mundy, Brenda Johnson, Roger Peters and Alan Scarlett.
The results sheet:-
Tuesday 19th August 2025
Belsay’s CN Div 1 GC team travelled to Backworth to play their penultimate match of the season and lost 6 games to 12.
Saturday 16th August 2025
Belsay Hall CN Div2 GC team played Bamburgh at Belsay today in perfect croquet weather with the match going to the final round before Bamburgh clinched a win by 10 games to 8.
Monday 4th August 2025
Unfortunately due to very strong winds Enlish Heritage have closed the Belsay Hall & Castle site today. This has resulted in the annual Croquet North GC Progressive Doubles Tournament being postponed until a future date. All of the intending participants will be given first refusal when a new date has been scheduled.
Saturday 2nd August 2025
This year Belsay’s GC Division 3 team played Jarrow at home and lost 5 – 13.
Saturday 26th July 2025
On a wonderful day for croquet, not too hot and not too cold, 12 club members took part in the club’s annual One-Ball competition very ably organised by Sue Furness. As last year, play took place on short courts with 2 of the 4 courts doubled banked so all players played every one of the eight rounds. Playing letters were randomly chosen by players as they arrived and a pre-arranged matrix determined who the opponents were in each round. No one played against the same opponent twice.
The usual quick explanation of the One-Ball format was given to the attendees who were mainly golf croquet players with no association croquet experience. After the first two rounds, where very few completed a 13 point score within the 30 minute time limit, there was a noticeable change and the subsequent rounds were mostly completed in under 30 minutes – an indication of the quick take-up of the rules.
After a break for lunch (and a serious early sampling of the ‘tea-time’ cake) the final four rounds gave enough separation of results for Arnie Clegg to be declared the winner on 7 game wins out of 8. Well done Arnie!
Followed by more tea and cake!
Sunday 20th July 2025
The annual match played against Brodsworth Hall took place at Belsay Hall in largely bright sunshine after the heavy rain of yesterday. During the afternoon a slight shower had players scurrying for their waterproofs only for them to be discarded a few minutes later.
Teams of four players played games to the established Croquet North League format of a concurrent doubles and, on the second court, two separately timed singles games, over six 45 minute (max) rounds. No games went to time. All proceedings were very ably managed by ‘Chair’ Pauline, with Julie, Jacquie and Margaret dispensing drinks and cakes to all present. Some interesting and skilled play resulted in Belsay winning 15 of the 18 games played retaining the English Heritage Trophy for another year.
Saturday 19th July 2025
Belsay’s CN GC Division 1 team hosted Alnmouth Blue on a very wet day and won 10 games to 8 in a closely fought match with 5 of the 18 games being decided at the 13th hoop!
Saturday 12th July 2025
Belsay’s CN GC Division 3 team hosted Backworth for their 2025 CN League match and won 11 games to 7. Well done Alison, Brenda, Pauline & Laurence for Belsay’s second league match win of the season.
Friday 11th July 2025
Belsay’s Division 1 GC team travelled to Bamburgh for their 2025 CN League match.
It was an absolutely glorious and sunny day and our hosts were as welcoming as ever with cold drinks appearing on court during both morning and afternoon sessions. Many thanks to Sinead, your refreshments were very welcome!
Belsay lost to Bamburgh 6 games to 12.
Saturday 25th June 2925
Another Saturday of two CN GC League ,matches:-
Belsay hosted Tyneside Swans in the CN GC Division 2 and lost 7.5 games to 10.5
Belsay’s CN GC Division 3 team played Durham Cuthbert at Chester-le-Street and lost 4.5 games to 13.5
Saturday 28th June 2025
A day of two CN League matches! – the results are below:-
Belsay hosted Tyneside Hawthorns in the CN GC Division 3 league and won 10 games to 8.
Belsay Division 2 GC team played Tyneside Hunters at Exhibition Park and lost 3 – 15.
Monday 23rd June – Wednesday 25th June 2025
A completely new venture – 14 club members spent 3 days visiting 4 North and West Yorkshire Croquet Clubs all expertly organised and arranged over the previous 7 months by Alan Mundy and Eddie Wilson. What a privilege it is to have these club members using hours of their spare time to give us such a ‘croquet fest’.
More description and photos to follow, but in the meantime here is a photo of the happy bunch at our first venue, Ripon Spa CC, at their courts at Studley Royal Cricket Club.
Saturday 21st June 2025
The annual GC Team Tournament was held at Bamburgh where 6 Croquet North and 1 Scottish Team battled it out for supremacy. This year Edinburgh won the event with Belsay achieving a joint third position.
Well done ‘Team’ and organising manager Pauline.
Wednesday 18th June 2025
On a beautiful day for croquet a Belsay team of 4 GC players travelled to Alnmouth to play Alnmouth RED in the 2025 CN GC League Div 1 and after a hard fight lost 6.5 games to 11.5 games.
Monday 10th June 2025
The annual Ricochet tournament took place at Belsay with 12 entrants each playing 8 rounds of 30 minute doubles on short courts. The aim being to score as many hoops as possible in the half hour ricocheting around the court.
No player played with the same partner in more than one round and their individual scores were accumulated. The player with the most hoop points after eight rounds was Alan Scarlett – the winner! This is Alan’s first ‘trophy at Belsay Hall CC – but there are definitely more to follow!
Most ably managed once again, with superb preparation, by Sue Furness Very well done, Sue!
Keeping to session times the tournament finished before 4.00pm giving plenty of time for cake and tea. Many thank yous to those who provided the refreshments – it is always looked forward to irrespective of one’s prowess on the court!
Saturday 7th June 2025
On a day when the potentially stormy weather forecast could have been used to postpone the CN Division 1 match between Belsay CC and Durham CC we gambled and, with a few showers amongst some bright spells, a strong Durham team pipped Belsay by 11 games to 7.
Monday 2nd June 2025
In what is becoming an annual event players from Bamburgh CC came to Belsay to play a day of friendly GC doubles. Each doubles pair consisted of a player from each club so strengths and weaknesses were relatively unknown and made for some interesting with and very enjoyable games.
Naturally, copious amounts of cake were consumed along with tea and coffee, chat and banter. (Backchat became the preserve of Eddie who has an aversion to playing with the secondary colours – future opponents may take note of this)!
The weather also played it’s part and it is felt that Belsay may even better Bamburgh as a location for croquet on a sunny summer’s day – not something which can be proven, of course!
Wednesday 28th May 2025
A Belsay Croquet team travelled to Alnmouth to play a Croquet North Division 2 League match and very nearly came away the winners! Belsay 8.5 – Alnmouth 9.5
Wednesday 21st May 2025
A Belsay golf croquet team travelled to Alnmouth to play a Croquet North Division 3 League match.
Pauline writes:- ‘Despite a disastrous morning’s play when only one point was taken from the 9 available, Belsay rallied for the afternoon session taking 6 out of the 9 Points available in that session. This may, or may not, have something to do with the cake we ate at lunchtime’! (Recipe requested)?
The score sheet:-
Monday 12 May 2025
Twelve members of the Club’s league squad took part in a Mayhem Day tournament today. Several of the players had never played a full day in a match format of singles and doubles before so this was an opportunity to gain experience before the league matches get underway.
The weather could not have been better with bright sunshine and dry lawns all day.
Phil, despite an early loss to Arnie, took first place to win the “Star Shooter” award. Sue Furness won the “Most Improved Player” award rising from 12th place to 2nd in the tournament rankings. Meanwhile Jacquie went away with the “Least Improved Player” award with a fall of seven places.
The day finished with cake and a request to repeat the tournament next season.
Friday 9 May 2025
Eddie Wilson and Alan Mundy took part in their first Croquet England C-Level (7+) Series tournament at Crake Valley Croquet Club, Ulverston on May 7. Eight players took part. Alan beat Eddie 7-6 in their first game of an “all-play-all” format competition. There were no time limits on the games and having taken to the lawns at 9:30am, they did not finish their seven matches until 6pm after which, they had to drink tea and eat cake while waiting for the results and presentations.
Overall, Eddie came 4th and gained two points that will count towards the rankings for a place in the National Finals. Alan finished 5th.
It was a long day of croquet played in superb sunny weather – an ideal first competition for both the Belsay Hall players.
Thursday 8 May 2025
Belsay Hall Croquet Club features in the May/June edition of the Tyne Valley Express local newspaper following the recent visit by freelance journalist Tim Morton. The article can be found on Page 37 of the issue here
Monday 5 May 2025
On dry but cold courts Belsay Hall CC held their Annual ‘Charity Fund Raising’ Fun Day mixing sessions of golf croquet, ricochet and one-ball on short courts with some 22 members taking part. All being organised and expertly managed by Sue Furness – VERY WELL DONE, SUE!
Pairings, as usual, comprised of an experienced player combined with a not quite as experienced player, uniquely paired, in nine 25 minute rounds with a break for lunch. It being more than a bit chilly, lunch time was short but did include time for early consumption of some of the donated cakes really intended for end of play celebrations!
At the end of play, after summing the results, the ‘senior’ winner was Arnie Clegg and the ‘junior’ winner was Pauline Clegg.
Many thanks to all those who brought cakes and hot water for tea, to the helpers who prepare everything for play and to the manager, Sue, for another very successfully prepared and run tournament.
Friday 2nd May 2025
The first Croquet Taster Session, scheduled for Monday, 19th May, is now fully booked with nine places taken. The next available session will be on Saturday, 12th June.
Wednesday 30th April 2025
Belsay Hall Croquet Club features in the May Issue of Pont News and Views. You can read the article on page 8 here and below.
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.
BELSAY HALL CC
A – Phil Errington (h/c 1 DGrade 2062)
B – Derek Johnson (4 – 1747)
C – Robert Nixon (3 – 1674)
D – David Knowles (6 – 1596)
A + B 7-6, 3-7, 3-7
C 7-6, 5-7, 7-2 Win
D 3-7, 5-7
A 7-5, 7-5 Win
B 6-7, 3-7
C 5-7, 2-7
D 5-7, 5-7
CHESTER CC
A – John Hampson (h/c 3 DGrade 1893)
B – Mark Lloyd (2 – 1882)
C – Tom Grievson (2 – 1813)
D – Rick Davies (6 – 1437)
A + B 6-7, 7-3, 7-3 Win
D 6-7 , 7-5 , 2-7
C 7-3, 7-5 Win
A 5-7, 5-7
B 7-6, 7-3 Win
C 7-5, 7-2 Win
D 7-5, 7-5 Win
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.
Golf Croquet League Winners –
Division 1 – Derek Johnson (centre)
Division 2 – David Knowles (left)
Division 3 – Val Knowles (right)
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.