One Ball was the game of choice for the charity-supporting opening tournament of the Nailsea & District Croquet Club season.

After a winter of maintenance the lawns reopened for the 2022 season and several NDCC players gathered to play in support of MIND, a charity which focuses on mental health and provides “mental health services in local communities across England and Wales”.

Fancy dress was optional, but was given a “blue theme”, with some adding yellow to support Ukraine, and the Ukrainian flag was flown for the day.

The rules for the competition were handicap one ball, where each player only has one ball on the lawn instead of two, but where the game is levelled between competitors using their Association Croquet handicaps.

This is an annual event, which over the years has collected thousands of pounds for numerous charities.

This year’s total was £141 and Marcus Evans, who organised the event, said: "I am very grateful for the support NDCC gives each year, but everyone enjoys croquet on a sunny afternoon."

Being a competition, it had to have a winner, and this year the honours went James Galpin with an unparalleled five wins out of five games.
He will be invited to the national final at Surbiton on Sunday, May 8.