Croquet crazy

Municipal croquet is taking off in south London. The sunshine has brought out Merton people in their droves to try the council's well coiffed croquet lawn.

The authority has set up and maintains the lawn in John Innes park, former home of a local dignitary. Croquet was the most popular outdoor sport in England during the 1850s.

Players here have now established their own club. Thirty members each pay an annual subscription of pounds 30.

London has only a handful of croquet lawns, all but two of them private - Hurlingham Park, near Putney Bridge being the most prestigious Ealing is the only other council known to have a public lawn.

For details of the Merton Croquet Club call

081-946 8931.

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