A group of British and American visitors, all dressed in their finery, were seen getting on a coach in the centre of Bath recently. They were all friends of Heather Queyrouze, from Boston, Massachusetts, who would be marrying Paul Wagner, originally from Bradford-on-Avon, the next day.
The American contingent came from Boston and the East Coast, Texas, Florida, the Mid-West – plus others from across the US. Heather and Paul wanted to create an opportunity for both families to get to know each other before the wedding, so they were treated to an afternoon of croquet at Camerton and Peasedown Croquet Club.
On arrival at the club, guests were greeted by a celebratory arch created by club members holding croquet mallets aloft. Everyone then moved down to the club grounds, where an introductory drink of Pimms was taken before they went on the lawn for a short introduction to croquet – then onto a real game.The five Club Coaches and a myriad of club members were on hand for each of the sixteen games. There were a number of timed games and everyone soon got into the swing of things – people enjoyed a good-natured game of croquet and some became very competitive!
Then it was on to the main marquee, supplied by Peasedown St John Scouts, where a series of tables, bedecked with bunting and the flags of both countries, were laden with old English china service, homemade scones, jam and clotted cream and plenty of tea.
Club members were on hand to serve tea and to replenish scones, jam and cream – it was quite an operation, catering for over fifty people. The party did not want to leave the sunlit grounds with views across the Somerset countryside, and a group photocall served as a reminder of this fantastic day.
Before they left to return to Bath, the visitors thanked the club and members for all their hard work – by now, the families had got to know each other. In turn, the club gave an official club cap to the joint winners of the croquet matches.