A larger than expected flock of Pink Flamingos came in to land on 14 June, raising over £800 for Cancer Research UK.
Including members, over 100 people attended, including 70 swinging a mallet seriously for the first time. Most wore pink as you can see from the photos. One of our new members Vika Nightingale was on hand to take some pictures. You can see more on her website here: https://www.vikanightingale.com/pink-flamingo
Our friends from Tank PR served gallons of Raspberry Lemonade courtesy of event sponsor Belvoir Fruit Farms from the shelter of a Don Martin marquee, having a trial run for WACWC in July, all very welcome when it started to rain. Apiarist Chris McGlen from sponsors Pasture Farm Honey was selling Triple Peel marmalade and a range of honey.
So why Flamingos? Surely most serious croquet players seek to distance themselves from that ancient Lewis Carroll connection? Normally “Yes” but for once we decided we would unashamedly exploit it given this was a decidedly non-serious fun event aimed at connecting with the general public to raise funds for CRUK. And after all, 2015 does mark 150 years since the publication of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. We’ll try not to do it again.
The event received useful press coverage in the Nottingham Post and Beeston Express and elsewhere which should boost public awareness of the Women’s AC World Championship starting here on 25 July.
CAPTION: Patricia Duke-Cox with some of the flock of Flamingos (Photo: Vika Nightingale)
CAPTION: Sighs of relief from David Brydon, Patricia Duke-Cox and Beatrice McGlen (Photo: Vika Nightingale)