Club

Croquet

Wrest Park

De Grey Plate 23 September

The De Grey Plate began life in 1998 as a 14pt AC handicap club competition for higher handicapped players. Over the years the entry dwindled as the players either improved or ceased to be members, and the competition was last held in 2017.

As the club has recently had an influx of new members playing AC the event was revived as a one-day tournament consisting of three new members together with Geoff Strutt, who acted as manager. Games were full bisque base 10 with 2½ hour time limits. Dave Barnett won all his games and earned a handicap reduction to 14 as a result.

Dave Barnett (16) beat Peter Rothwell +3t, T Nurse +4t, G Strutt +8t

Peter Rothwell (10) beat Tim Nurse +6t, G Strutt +22

Tim Nurse (14) beat G Strutt +17

Geoff Strutt (12) no wins

De Grey is taken from the title acquired by the family who owned Wrest Park. The present house was built in the 1830s by Thomas Robinson (1781-1859), who became the 2nd Earl de Grey in 1833 on the death of his aunt Amabel, Countess de Grey. He was the first President of the Institute of British Architects. The family mausoleum is attached to Flitton church.


Thomas Philip Robinson, then 3rd Baron Grantham, in a sketch by Ingres from 1816.

© Wrest Park Croquet Club