The Annual Slee Blackwell Solicitors Croquet Challenge was blessed with fine weather at the Taunton Deane Croquet Club on Thursday evening as teams from across the county battled with mallet and ball for the coveted trophy.
Graeme Biffen and Martyn Venner of Greenslade Taylor Hunt were again victorious with a second successive win in the team event. Marcia Dare and Steve Horton of accountants Milsted Langdon were runners-up, taking home a bottle of champagne. John Coombs of accountants Simpkins Edwards was winner of the individual ‘Crazy Croquet’ competition, displaying the skills of a seasoned croquet pro.
Changing Faces were this year’s nominated charity. For those not familiar with their work, Changing Faces provide wonderful help and support to people suffering disfigurement. Take a look at their website www.changingfaces.org.uk for further details of what they do.
Changing Faces was nominated by James McNally a solicitor at our Taunton office who specialises in representing victims of dog attacks. Each year an alarming number of people sustain serious facial disfigurement as a result of a dog attack. Children are particularly at risk and the charity does a fantastic job of proving support and advising on specialist skin camouflage techniques.
The participants were fortified by an al fresco supper of paella and sangria which went down very well on a warm and balmy Taunton evening that wouldn’t have been out of place on the costas. The event was hosted by the Taunton Deane Croquet Club and particular thanks go to Stephen Custance-Baker and his colleagues at the club who officiated the matches and were on hand to provide support and encouragement to the teams throughout. Anyone in or around Taunton thinking about taking up this fascinating sport should pay a visit to the club’s website at http://www.tauntoncroquet.org/ and give Stephen a call.