Bellringing
on the Net
Graham Brown
The art of change ringing is peculiar to the English, and, like most English peculiarities, unintelligible to the rest of the world ...
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Croquet
Reviews and ratings of quality, hand-picked, UK websites
On this page:
A Brief History of Croquet
Where to Buy Croquet Sets on the Web
The Game
Whether you play for of fun in your garden or join a club, croquet is great game focusing on skill rather than strength. Strategy is an important facet to the game, like a combination of snooker and chess out in the sunshine.
A Brief History of Croquet
13th century France: Peasants used willow hoops and shepherds crooks to play a form of early Croquet.
17th century Ireland: British sports equipment maker called John Jaques sees Croquet, took the idea home with him, and it became the sport of the elite class. A governing body was established around 1870 in England and Wimbledon became the first home of Croquet.
Mid 1880's: In 1874, Major Wingate patented a game which he called "Sphairistike". Soon it became "Lawn Tennis" and this rather pushed Croquet out of the picture. Wimbledon had become "The All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club", and now dropped the Croquet, but the sport survived in the Commonwealth countries and at Vicars' teaparties.
1897: English players, form the beginnings of the Croquet Association (CA).
1930s 40s America It was taken to by the rich and famous of Many Hollywood play croquet
Mid 60s America The USCA was formed, and along with it, formal rules and regulations governing play, American-style.
1980's to date: Explosive growth in the sport, with over 350 clubs in Canada, and the USA.
Nowadays there is a World Croquet Federation which recently has joined the national associations of more than a dozen countries around the world. It is responsible for unifying the sport and promoting international competition. There is even a World Championship.
If you buy a croquet set it will almost certainly have a copy the rules of the game with it. For more information we recommend The Croquet Association.
Where to buy Croquet Sets on the Web
Garden Games Limited Croquet
• www.gardengamesltd.co.uk/acatalog/Croquet-Sets.html
Headers: Croquet, Garden & Outdoor, outdoor games, family games, sports, Garden Croquet, Family croquet
If you love Croquet and want to play this fantastic game at home in your own garden, then you are looking for a Garden Games Croquet Set. We offer great prices and great quality croquet sets that offer everything you need from family sets to encourage younger members of the family to boxed sets that contain everything you will need to play croquet for years to come.
• All orders place before 12 will be dispatched the same day.
Garden Bliss
• www.gardenbliss.co.uk
Headers: Heating, Lighting, Games, Barbecues, Picnics, Green Fingers, Garden Extras
Nice selection of garden accessories from Garden Bliss, from firepits to giant snakes and ladders. Lighting includes stylish gas lights and torches as well as more conventional lights. There is a large selection of picnic hampers, baskets and backpacks. Gift vouchers are available. Garden Bliss is part of Prezzybox and is based in Austrey, Warwickshire.
• Free Delivery
Gym World Ltd
• www.gymworld.co.uk
Headers: Treadmills, Elliptical Cross trainers, Exercise Bikes, Rowing Machines, Multi Gyms, Weight Training, Weights & Bars, Boxing Equipment, Equipment for schools & colleges, Equipment for offices & hotels, Refurbished Equipment, Accessories, Food Supplements, Heart Rate Monitors, Table Tennis, Outdoor Play Equipment, Games Tables, Basketball, Trampolines, Netball
Home fitness and exercise machines from brand names such as Tunturi, Kettler, Trimline, Bremshey, Marcy, York, Pro-Form, Reebok, Gold`s Gym, Concept 2, WaterRower and more, plus a supplier of the Pacemaster range of running machines, the Keys Power Systems and the IronMan Fitness brands of strength training equipment and multigyms. In addition, Gymworld has just secured an exclusive partnership with Kettler, one of the world leaders in the maufacture and distribution of table tennis tables, to promote one of their brand new ranges. Gym World is based in Oldham, Lancashire.
• Free UK Mainland Delivery on most items
Holdall
• www.holdall.co.uk
Headers: Aquashoes, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Cricket, Croquet, Fitness, Football, Footwear, Garden Games, Golf Gifts, Handball, Hockey, Indoor Games, Medical Items, Netball, Replica Kits, Rugby, Running, Skates & Boards, Snooker/Pool, Socks, Squash, Sunglasses, Table Tennis, Tennis, Toboggans, TP Outdoor Activities, Trampolines, Volleyball, Watches
Holdall sells a large and diverse range of sports equipment, including clothing, footwear, sunglasses and accessories, for most sports. In addition, they also sell a nice range of indoor games including all the usuals like chess sets, roulette, etc. and also some more unusual ones such as carpets bowls and step quoits plus they have a great selection of garden games and outdoor accessories such as swings, sand pits and trampolines. Holdall is based in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire.
• Free Delivery on orders >£120
Just Sport and Leisure
• www.justsportandleisure.com
Headers: Office and Travel, Games & Entertainment, Sport & Fitness
Just Sport and Leisure sells a wide range of luggage and travel accessories from Delsey and TravelPro, plus they have just about all Filofax products and a range of Daler Rowney art cases. Check out the range of Oregon Scientific products, including digital cameras, MP3 players, clocks, weather stations and health monitors. Great range of Mookie Toys. And if that's not enough, you can also get pool tables plus pool and snooker accessories, sports equipment and now their new range of Intex pools. Not to mention garden games, toys, aquashoes and gadgets. Just Sport and Leisure is based in Basildon and is part of the Just Sport group. Note that all products have a 12 month warranty.
• Free UK Mainland Delivery on orders >£50
Prezzybox
• www prezzybox.com
Headers: Little Gems, Gadgets, Fun Things, Home & Living, Garden & Outdoors, Experience Days, Personalised Gifts
Zappy site with 1000's of gifts and gadgets at very competitive prices. There is also a useful Gift Wizard if you are struglling on what to buy. Member of the Which Web Trader's Association. rezzybox is based in Austrey, Warwickshire.
• Special Offers: Prezzybox has offered us a £5 discount off every order over £20 for our readers. Just enter the code EASYTORECALL at the checkout.
Sweatband.com
• www.sweatband.com
Headers: Baseball, Basketball, Cricket, Croquet, Football, Fitness, Netball, Outdoor, Rounders, Rugby, Sports Bras, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Trampolines
This is a great website for sports equipement, especially good as it has a good quantity of items in category. Always plenty of special offers. Sweatband Ltd is associated with Gadgethub, both of which are part of Internet Business Group PLC.
Enjoy Gadget Site
• www.enjoy.co.uk
Audio, Gadgets, Games, Home, Kitsch, Lifestyle, Office, Outdoor, Toys, Adult
Great variety of gadgets and much more. The delivery charge for items under £10 is competitive and it is free delivery for orders on or over £10. One good tip is that if you are buying something for say £9 then with postage you will be charged £10.99. So if, for example, you buy a battery for a £1 then you get free postage and pay £10. Overall this is a well laid out site, easy to use and up with the best gadget sites on the web. Minimum order is £10.
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