Membership Matters at Bristol Croquet Club
See handicapping to update your details and handicap.
Information About Membership and Fees
General
We welcome applications for membership from anyone who
- has an AC or GC handicap, or
- has played AC or GC in the past - this will be subject to an assessment session with one of our handicappers, or
- has completed our Beginners' Course
If you don't have a croquet handicap, or it's a distant memory, please go to the try croquet page. To apply for membership, just contact our Secretary.
Applications for membership will be managed on a 'first come, first served' basis and may be subject to the following considerations by the Committee
- Lawn capacity i.e. if lawn availability meets current demands
- Maintaining a balance between AC and GC play
- Availability of Beginners' Course places
Classes of Membership
The following classes of membership are available:
Croquet-Playing Members |
||
|---|---|---|
| Full | *1 | Bristol is their Primary Club |
| Associate | Another club is their Primary Club | |
| Under 25 | *2 | Aged 10-24 on 1st March of the membership year and Bristol is their Primary Club |
| Under 25 [2nd club] | Aged 10-24 on 1st March of the membership year and another club is their Primary Club | |
| Honorary Playing | *1 | By special arrangement *3 |
| Life Playing | *1 | By special arrangement *3 |
Other Members |
||
| Retired Playing Member | Former croquet-playing member | |
| Social | By invitation only | |
| Honorary | By special arrangement *3 | |
| Life | By special arrangement *3 | |
Capitation is an annual fee paid to Croquet England (croquet's governing body) for each playing member as follows:
*1 Full capitation fee applies
*2 Under-25 capitation fee applies
*3 Refer to the Constitution for Honorary and Life members.
Members for whom the club pays a capitation fee have automatic free affiliation to Croquet England and are eligible to register to vote on matters in the governing body.
Conditions of Membership
Every Member of Bristol Croquet Club is deemed to have been informed of and undertaken to comply with the rules and guidance published on the Club's website in the Club Guide or otherwise communicated to members.
Bristol Croquet Club is run by volunteers and every member is encouraged to play an active role in this - anything from making a cake, catering for an event, to lawns and property maintenance, coaching, playing for the club, or serving on the Committee.
Benefits of Membership
All Members
- may attend the Club whenever it is open
- will receive information about matters pertaining to the club and the sport
- will be invited to all social events and General Meetings
- will be entitled to attend all General Meetings
- are entitled to stand for and nominate candidates for election to the BCC Committee
- are entitled to propose agenda items to General Meetings
- are entitled to join in any social activities including those where croquet is played, except some social occasions, fund-raisers, and non-croquet activities, which are equally open but sometimes carry a small charge to cover costs
- will be welcome to spectate all play
Croquet-Playing Members
In addition, Croquet-Playing and Life Members may:
- vote at all General Meetings if aged 18+
- play croquet using the Club's facilities
- enjoy being a Standard Associate of Croquet England at no additional charge
- use the Court Booking System
- be selected to play to represent the Club
- play in club competitions
- hold a clubhouse key on payment of the required deposit
- invite playing guests in accordance with our Guest Policy
Exclusion of Liability
The Club accepts no liability for any loss or damage to any property occurring, from whatever cause, in or about the Club's lawns or other premises.
Fees 2024
The membership year runs from 1st March and annual subscriptions must be paid before this date. Members will be invited to renew their membership by 31st December to benefit from an 'EarlyBird' subscription rate. New members will be welcome to join the club at any time and will be offered a proportionally reduced subscription fee if joining after the start of the season.
Membership of the club entitles you to participate in all activities, such as Scrabble, table tennis and coffee mornings. A small fee may be charged for some social events to cover the cost of refreshments and heating.
| Membership Class | Fee | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 15 miles by road | 16-75 miles by road | Over 75 miles by road | ||||
| Full | EBD* | Full | EBD* | Full | EBD* | |
| Full | £268 | £235 | £134 | £118 | £91 | £80 |
| Associate | £134 | £118 | £91 | £80 | £67 | £59 |
| Under 25 | £37 | |||||
| Under 25 [2nd club] | £37 | |||||
| Retired Playing Member | £5 | |||||
| Social | £37 | |||||
*EBD: Early Bird Discount offered to existing members who renew their membership by 31st December of the preceding membership year.
Beginners' Course: £75
See also the Expenses Policy and the Guests and Group Events Policy.