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He is less well known as a local player of the game of croquet. His croquet club is based at Kingston Maurward house, which has two lawns - the official name for the playing area - one full size, the other slightly smaller, and two games can take place on the same lawn at the same time.

John invited me to go with him one fine, sunny morning to see what happens. In the glorious setting of the house grounds we collected balls and mallets from the small clubhouse and John explained the rules.

With two players, each player chooses two different colour balls. Bulldog clips in the four colours are placed on the first hoop and when you get your ball through that hoop, your coloured clip is moved to the next hoop to aim for. The object is to run your balls through all the hoops before your opponent. The tactics are similar to snooker. If you hit another ball with yours (a Roquet), you then take your ball to the position of the other ball that was hit and place it touching the hit ball. You then hit your ball (a croquet) to another position, but the touching ball must move. You then have another shot (the follow-on) to hit your ball where you like. On getting through a hoop you have a follow-on shot to start you towards the next hoop.

Got that? Luckily it is actually far simpler to play than to describe. The handicap system consists of a series of bisques', which are free shots, to be taken when you like, the number taken depending on your handicap.

When I was there, about 12 players were playing, ladies and gentlemen equally, and most were there for the full day, having brought a packed lunch with them - a hamper and a bottle of a good chilled white wine would have been very appropriate.

The atmosphere during play is very polite. Players stick to the rules and mention when they have made an error. Croquet is generally a summer game, but there are some indoor venues for year round use. Play can take place in the rain, but not if there is danger of damage to the lawn.

Thursday is club day for the 40 or so members, but the lawns can be used throughout the week and in the evenings. All equipment is supplied and the current annual cost is £40. The club boasts international players amongst its members, and would like to hear from anyone who has played before or would like to take up the game seriously.

If you would care to try out the lawns at Kingston Maurward, there is an open afternoon on Sunday, May 4 between 2pm and 4 pm. Give John a ring on 832529 for further details.

5:14pm Monday 21st April 2008

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