An Oxfordshire croquet club has received one of the largest Lottery sport awards to be made for the game.
The £42,000 grant to Blewbury Croquet Club is also the first by the Sport England Lottery Fund for new croquet facilities.
With grants from the Vale of White Horse District Council, the parish council and village trust funds, Blewbury will spend £70,000 to provide two croquet courts and a shelter at the village recreation ground. The club, which currently uses a private court in the village, defended the use of Lottery funds for what secretary Jolyon Kay agreed was a minority sport "with a somewhat crusty image". It began in the 19th century as a country house pastime.
Mr Kay, pictured left with Bernardine Shirley-Smith, said that, with its own courts, the 24-member club would be able to attract a wider range of players, including young people, whom it is already coaching.
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