Dan, Thank you so much. just what I needed. Lew
On Sep 2, 3:23 pm, "Daniel N Myers" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Lew, > > There are many references to croquet in the literature as the tennis courts > at Chartwell were converted to a croquet lawn. But Clementine was the > croquet player, not Winston. Herewith from Jack Fishman's book, My Darling > Clementine: > > "Clementine is an enthusiastic croquet player, with a keen eye and a > > steady hand. Winston does not share her enthusiasm, but summer-time > > guests at Chartwell usually find themselves playing a game before lunch > > and another after dinner. > > Asked to become an Associate of the Croquet Association, Clementine > > accepted with delight; but it was then discovered that the new > > Associate's croquet did not conform to the recognized rules. For years, > > it seemed, she had been playing on a lawn of the wrong dimensions. On > > learning this, she immediately ordered the addition of a further five > > yards of turfing to the Chartwell lawn in readiness for the next croquet > > season. > > Field-Marshal Montgomery, a frequent and welcome visitor to Chartwell, > > had as fellow-guests one week-end Mr. and Mrs. Clement Attlee. All three > > were keen croquet players, but none could equal the skill of Clementine, > > who had achieved near-championship standard. Though Winston is also good > > at the game, he does not approach his wife's class. > > At that time Winston was Prime Minister and Attlee (now Lord Attlee) > > leader of the Opposition. Montgomery had still to attain his Viscountcy. > > Clementine had frequently opposed Monty at croquet and beaten him > > soundly; but this time he was her ally against Winston and Attlee, and the > two > > statesmen suffered a total political defeat. Throughout the match > > Winston and Monty tried to undermine each other with the methods of > > psychological warfare. There were constant volleys of banter, Winston's > > thrusts being largely aimed at Monty's abstinence from tobacco and alcohol. > > They availed nothing. Monty and > > Clementine completely out-generalled their foes." > > Best, > > Dan > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > On Behalf Of Lew > Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 3:33 PM > To: ChurchillChat > Subject: [ChurchillChat] Churchill & Croquet > > Does anyone have any stories, insights or references on Churchill and > > the game of croquet? > > The Denver Croquet Club has invited our Churchill Centre Affiliate, > > The Rocky Mountain Churchillians, to participate in a gathering & game > > on September 21st. I have been asked to say a few words about > > Churchill and croquet at Chartwell. I have seen the beautiful croquet > > lawn at Chartwell in my visits there and I know Churchill loved games. > > However, I have not been able to come up with any definitive > > information on the subject of Churchill and croquet, such as, did he > > in fact enjoy playing the game; who of note might he have played with > > him at Chartwell, besides, I assume, his family, children and > > grandchildren? > > I would greatly appreciate any stories or references. > > Best regards to all, > > Lew House --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ChurchillChat" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/ChurchillChat?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
