Historical Notes on Club Competition Trophies
Many of the club trophies have been
redesignated over the years for various reasons. The lists of names
above give the winners of the particular class of competition rather than
the names shown on each trophy.
In particular, the “A”, “B” and “C” Class trophies have a common linkage
in that they were all purchased by the club in 1913 and stored in the vaults
of Barclays Bank, Altrincham, from 1939 until 1976, when it was discovered
that the A Class trophy was missing, and with it the only record of prior
winners. In consequence, the old B and C Class trophies were promoted,
and the winner of the A Class event now holds what was originally the B Class
trophy, while B Class winners hold the original C Class trophy.
The trophies still carry the names of their original holders so that each
carries part of the engraved record of two competitions. For the sake
of historical record, the winners of the Class are listed on the various
winners pages. Inspection of the trophies will show the curious at which
point the transfer was made.
A Class Club Championship Open
B Class
C Class - The Allen Bowl was presented to the club
as a replacement C Class trophy in 1979 by Mr. Christopher Hudson (then President,
and member 1973 to date), and drew on his wife’s maiden name for its title.
From all the above it can be deduced that the names of the C Class winners
prior to 1979 will be found on the trophy now held by winners of the B Class.
D Class
The E Class cup was presented to the club in 1991
to allow players of all abilities to enjoy competitive croquet.
The Silver Box, a silver cigarette box, was given
for handicap play by Miss N. Ford-Smith in 1930, a member from 1913 to 1967
(the longest serving member). She was elected a member of the club
committee from 1915 to 1949, during which time she was the secretary of the
club from 1919 to 1946.
The Gladys Johnson Cup , for handicap doubles,
was presented to the club in 1966 by the family of Miss Gladys Johnson as
a memorial after her death, together with a legacy of £40. Miss
Johnson had been a member of the club from 1914 until her death in 1966.
It was originally competed for as a doubles prize during an American Tournament
and it became the club handicap doubles trophy in 1971.
The Short Croquet Tankard was presented by the club to officially recognise
the development of the small lawn game.
The Fotiadi Novices Silver Challenge Bowl was given
by Mrs. Alexandra Fotiadi, who was a member from 1939 until her death in
1990. President of the club from 1972 to 1981, she was for many years
one of the best women players in the country. Her generosity to the
club over the years in donating cash sums for various projects, provided
the springboard for its re-generation in the late 1970s. The term “Novices”
has changed over the years, ranging as high as handicap 10, but since the
1990’s covering only newcomers in their first season.
The Wild Trophies were given for club competitions
in 1989 by Mr. Colin Wild, who has been a member since 1983. They were
among many won by Mr. Wild in his days as a competitive car rally and racing
driver “before the war”.
The Faulkener Cup was purchased for the winner
of the Championship of the North of England from a gift by Mrs. Faulkener
in memory of her late husband Ronald (member 1963-78). At his best he had
been selected to play in the Surrey Cup (now the Spencer-Ell trophy) and
was the last winner of the old Northern Championship in 1956 before its revival
at Bowdon in 1971.
The Tollemache Plate was purchased in 1982 for
the 'winner' of the plate (3rd place) in the Northern Championships. Its
name commemorates our link with Lord Tollemache who had been a member from
1920-40. A famous croquet player in his day, he entertained royalty to croquet
at his home in Peckforton Castle and wrote a substantial treatise on the
style and tactics of the game.
The Pidcock Mallets were made by Prof. Alan Pidcock (member since 1990),
maker of the popular Manor House mallets, and presented for Handicap Doubles
in the Northern Championship week.
The Millenium Candlesticks were given in 2000/01 by the Honorary Club
Secretary Mr. Martin Granger Brown (member 1969-73 and and since 1981) as
a trophy for the Northern Open Doubles, the only Club competition he had
ever won!
The Peterson Cup was given by Mrs. Heather Peterson
(1984-97) as a challenge trophy for the June Advanced weekend.
The Reed Cup was given in 1922 by Mr. and Mrs.
H A Reed (members 1914-29) for the Open A Class singles in the Club's main
tournament. Between 1981-90 this splendid trophy marked the handicap
singles at the Northern week and from 1992 the May handicap weekend.
The Lines Trophies were given in 2002 by Mrs.
Ailsa Lines for the new Club 14-point competitions inaugurated in that year.
A member since 1993 and a past winner of the CA Ladies' Steel and Barlow
Bowls, Mrs. Lines became the highest ranked UK player in 2002.
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