Record numbers sign up as new croquet season starts );
lockdown restrictions were eased.
The private members’ club has the largest croquet club in the country with 197 members. A strict pre-booking system is in place to control numbers on the greens at any time.
The club has also been taking guidance from the Croquet Association on safe playing during the pandemic.
Starting the playing season nearly four months into the year means that croquet is straight into its competitive programme both internally at Phyllis Court and on the national tournament circuit. As the deadline for entries to the club’s season-long knock-out competitions approaches, entries have smashed all previous records, even without any doubles events for the time being, with almost all members signing up to take part.
Derby Arms in Longridge
- Credit: Kirsty Thompson
Five Lancashire dining pubs have been saved after a recent acquisition by a regional pub chain.
The Alma Inn in Colne, The Derby Arms in Longridge, The Farmers Arms in Great Eccleston, The Fenwick Arms in Claughton and The Forest Inn in Fence, were all part of the award-winning Seafood Pub Company which faced trading difficulty in during the lockdown in 2020.
A deal to purchase the five Lancashire pubs along with The Fleece Inn, Addingham, West Yorkshire has been agreed with Home Counties-based operator, The Oakman Group, in a move that will save around 150 jobs.
Six Seafood Pub Company venues bought in deal that will save 150 jobs pendletoday.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from pendletoday.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
AN Addingham pub could re-open as early as May 17 after it was acquired in a deal to purchase six pubs previously operated by the Seafood Pub Company. The Fleece in Addingham is one of the venues bought by Home Counties-based operator, The Oakman Group, in a move that will save around 150 jobs. Oakman has acquired six venues - including The Fleece Inn in Addingham - from the administrators and Seafood Pub will now become their third brand. Joycelyn Neve, the founder and former MD of Seafood Pub Company, will join The Oakman Group as the MD of this new division.