THEY have braved flooded facilities and Covid-19 lockdown and now members of Ben Rhydding Croquet Club are back in action ready to introduce newcomers to the sport.

Headed by coach Cathy O’Brien and Captain Penny Clark, the club is running a four week training course for Ilkley and District U3A members this month.

First to enrol on the new course was Hazel Greenwood, who said: “I thought I would give croquet a go as I had been indoors playing bridge online and I wanted to go do something active.”

Interest in croquet has boomed during lockdown and more than 20 members are taking part. They will now be able to learn the basics of Golf Croquet with a set of new mallets, thanks to a generous U3A grant.

“We are delighted to have the support of the U3A,” said BRCC chair Alan Ebbutt.

“When learning to play it is important to borrow a good mallet before buying your own and U3A support has ensured new players get a good start.”

The club’s pavilion was badly damaged during the winter when the River Wharfe flooded the Sports and Social Club site on Coutances Way and the croquet lawns were under water.

But now everything is back in good order and play is in full swing from Mondays to Fridays.

Once known as lawn billiards, croquet is a very old sport and is suitable for all ages and abilities. It is unisex and one of few sports disciplines where men play against women. With its tactics and strategies it is good mental as well as physical exercise. According to the Croquet Association sales of garden croquet sets soared nationwide during lockdown as families discovered a new way to beat the boredom.

Ben Rhydding fields teams in Yorkshire Federation matches and also takes part in friendly contests with other clubs across the county.