THE national finals of the All England Handicap championship event will be held on the lawns at the Pendle Croquet Club this weekend.

To have been selected from all other croquet clubs as the venue for these national finals is acknowledgement by the Croquet Association of the high standards of Pendle club's facilities.

The condition of the lawns are excellent, the setting is very attractive. Organisation and management by the club's skilled and experienced officers, as demonstrated in many open events throughout the playing season, is first class and friendly hospitality for contestants and friends has already attained a good reputation.

Croquet in Pendle is a community provision open to all. The recognition at national level by this choice and the recent increase in membership indicates the success of the club's recent progress.

From this area's finals earlier this month, the following three winners now go forward to the national finals: Robin Steer (Bowden), Barbara Young (Bury), Abdul Ahmad (Pendle).

Other contestants will be from all other areas in England - a total of 16 players, one of whom is a 16-year-old from the south west. All five courts will be in use 9.30am-5pm on both days (Saturday and Sunday, September 18 and 19).

Trophies: winner - the Trevor Williams Cup; winner's club - the New Zealand Tray.

Presentations will take place at the end of play on Sunday. Area winners get an inscribed decorative plaque courtesy of Robin Steer (Bowden CC) at area final.

The Pendle club is self-supporting but relies on essential work carried out by members including lawn care, catering, accommodation, coaching, hoop setting and interpreting the rules of the game etc.

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