The Blenheim Croquet Club beginnings​​​​​​​

Jeanie Young was the prime mover in establishing the Blenheim

Croquet Club. A picture taken of her on her wedding day is shown

above. She called a meeting on 11th August 1931 at which 18 to

20 women Attended. The meeting was held in the Malplaquet Tea

Rooms and from that the decision was made to form a croquet club.

Amongst those present were: Mesdames Young, Bull, Huddleston,

Wilkinson, Renner, Monro, Lorrance, Webley, Cook, Couch, Harrison,

Buist, Hart, Scott, Findlay and Miss Smith.

Officers elected: President, Mrs Young. Secretary, Mrs Huddleston.

Committee, Mesdames Wilkinson, Renner, Monro, Lorrance, Cook.

Subscriptions £2.2.0. for town members 10/6. for social members.

From that very early beginning the Club prospered and at a general

meeting held on 18 September 1931 a decision was made to name

the club the Blenheim Croquet Club.Fund raising to start the club

and a very good start was made when a bridge party at the home of

Mrs. P. Monro’s residence raised £8/16/0. The Blenheim Borough

Council offered ground for courts in Seymour St. for £15 a season.

By coincidence the club lawns were originally located at the very

site where the Marlborough District Council Offices now are, directly

opposite the clock in Seymour Square. The Plunket Room

conveniences were also offered for club use at 5 shillings per year.

The Club opening day was held on 15th December 1932 . The

weather was delightful and there was a large attendance including

members from Picton Croquet Club. His Worship Mr. McKenzie and

Mayoress Mrs McKenzie and Mr. W.F. Strand, Mayor of Lower Hutt

donated a seat. Mr. Healey M.P., Mr. Bull (Town Clerk) all spoke and

Mrs T. Flood spoke on behalf of the Picton Club. His Worship the

Mayor Mr. McKenzie played the first ball and declared the season open.

Club Milestones

A meeting was held on 15th February 1933 to decide about building

a pavilion. Mrs Renner proposed a room this year and a verandah next

year and this was carried. In 1933 the Club was invited to join the

Nelson Association but this was declined because the club had few

senior members at the time.The best known member of the club was

Hilma Mathews who played many national tournaments during the

1970's. Our current top player is Rod McKenzie who took out the

RA Clarke Copper Tray on the North Shore in 2006. On June 1, 1955

The club commenced discussions with the Blenheim Borough Council

about moving the club to Pollard Park. The clubhouse was moved to

Pollard Park on Saturday September 17,1955 by R. Gill and Sons. By

curious coincidence the area of Pollard Park, now occupied by the Club

and the adjacent Tennis Club, was once leased by Club member Barry

Briden. Barry grew peas for many years there which he exported to

England. In 1987 the Club built new clubrooms on Pollard Park to

replace to original building.In 2006 the Clubrooms the clubrooms were

significantly enlarged.In 2009 the Club implement shed was enlarged

considerably. With that the club now has facilities as good as any.

The club is now blessed with four championship quality lawns and a

nice clubhouse complete with new carpet. The facilities are befitting

of a Club now 75 years old.