Easing of lockdown restrictions sees surge in interest in ‘vicious’ croquet
● Non-contact sport sees sales of garden sets soar
It is a quaint, old-fashioned pastime commonly associated with the landed gentry and immortalised in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
But the coronavirus pandemic has led to a revival in the popularity of croquet – and rookie players are being warned that what was one a genteel game is now a “viscious” sport.
In Scotland, croquet has become one of a handful of non-contact sports that are allowed during the lockdown, including golf and tennis.
Shoppers have bought garden croquet sets, with sales by John Lewis up by 600 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Edinburgh Croquet Club opened its doors to the public last week for the first time since March but only a fifth of players will be allowed on the lawns to use mallets to strike balls through hoops embedded in the grass.
Before the lockdown, 20 players could have meandered around the two lawns – however now, only two will be allowed on each lawn.
The club, in the grounds of Lauriston Castle, is proudly described by treasurer Allan Hawke as “the most beautiful location” of all the eight clubs in Scotland – with around 300 members.
Mr Hawke, 79, has been playing for 20 years and said it was an ideal game for summer weather.
But he warned newbies that despite the game’s reputation for being “genteel” there was a fiercely competitive aspect to it.
Mr Hawke said: “It used to be a genteel sport but people nowadays call it the ‘vicious game’. You are trying to spoil your opponent’s chances but that’s what all games are about. There’s also social interchange which goes on and makes it very pleasant.”
He described it as a “minority sport” and said neither his three children or anyone else in his family shared his enthusiasm for it.
He added: “It tends to attract older people because it’s not physically intensive but mentally [it] involves strategy. It combines gentle exercise with mental hard work.
“Croquet’s ideal for bright blue skies, striding around in the warmth with a mallet in hand. Normally we would have 20 players cross both lawns, but we’re only allowed to have two players per lawn.”
The club has views over the Firth of Forth, and has 70 members. Plans are in place to recruit more in May with a beginners’ course.
Mr Hawke said: “Our club’s probably the most beautiful of all the locations in Scotland.
“We don’t have a clubhouse but you can enjoy the Lauriston Gardens and Japanese Gardens.
“Croquet continues as a minority sport but is growing in interest and it’s played at world championship level.
“It’s played more often in England because of the milder weather, they can sometimes even play through the winter.
“In Scotland the normal croquet season runs from April to October.”
He welcomed interest from new people wanting to play, and said: “We always try to respond to individual enquiries.”