WGO’s Croquet Morning

A bright and beautiful day, palms swaying gently in the breeze, ducks in a lovely little pond and the most beautiful setting for the day that one could possibly imagine! Yes, we had all that and more on Tuesday, the 24th of January at the WGO’s Annual Croquet morning. Held at the British ambassador’s residence with his wife, Sarah Bowden present at the occasion, it was truly a great day out for the 120 ladies who were lucky enough to attend.

Yet there was a feeling of lingering sadness as we had just learnt about the death of Lorna Guckian, our former Patron and wife of the previous British Ambassador, in the UK on Monday evening. Even for those of us who knew that she had been ailing for some time, the news came as a shock. On a personal note, I’d like to add that in my last meeting with her at the WGO’s ‘Table top sale at the Grand Hyatt this April, she had seemed so happy to be going back ‘home to the UK” as she had termed it and was competently managing the sale and disposal of books and other personal odds and ends with her children standing right beside her. A memory now destined to remain forever etched in my mind.

At the outset, Sally Sleep, the President of the WGO made the announcement and in honour and respect of Lorna, we started the morning with a minute’s silence. It seemed fitting that we continue the morning of croquet, a game she had loved and enjoyed, indeed making sure that she was personally involved in all aspects of the morning, right upto the one held last January.

Moving on to the game, where I happened to be one of the Judges, it was good fun for all the participants. After an exciting start with 16 teams (64 players) the lawns of the British Ambassador’s Residence on the 24th Jan, the results were:

Semi Finals
Susan Hilditch,,Barbara Crowther, Gaye Dudfield,Gemma Leith, Lindsey Elliott,
Dawn Blackmore, Barbara Parsons,Sarah Boyce, Claire Hurp, Julie Platen,
David Thomas, [Alias Roger the dodger for the day] Dot Broadhead,
Donna Davis, Diana Fitzpatric, Di Palmer, Richard Lewis.

Finals team
Susan Hilditch, Lindsey Elliott, Julia Platen and Di Palmer

Winner
Di Palmer

The other highlight as always, was the Hats competition, with the viewers spoilt for choice with the wide range of beautiful hats on display. The joint winners were Jenni and Cian and the judge particularly commended them on the originality in doing up their hats.

But just like all good things tend to, the morning finally came to an end with some of the attendees going onto the National Hospitality Institute for a great lunch. As for me, I’m already waiting for the WGO’s Annual croquet morning next January….