The genesis of the 18th August 2-page Express feature on croquet was a page in the previous Sunday edition about David Maugham (headlined "I say, we've got a wild man on the croquet lawn"). Richard Hilditch is quoted in this article as saying that DM is helping to attract younger players and that "thankfully he (DM) seems to be at his worst when he goes to play in places like America and Australia - but I regard him as a fantastic breath of fresh air".
The heading to the daily's follow-up piece is "Suddenly, croquet is cool" with a sub-head "Celebrities are jumping through hoops to play the most English of games". Mentioned as croquet players are: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Helen Mirren, Elizabeth Taylor, Noel "and his young wife Meg." Gallagher of Oasis. They refer to croquet's "starring role" in the new Avengers film with Sean Connery and, from earlier times, Sam Goldwyn and Gregory Peck as croquet players. David M. and Richard H. also get mentioned again.
Because we are in the middle of August there is space for stories like this so numerous other journalists (mostly from TV and radio) have followed up with calls to the CA. Those I've dealt with always start, disappointingly, with the question that as croquet is played mostly by a tiny minority of upper class, elderly, twits - how come the sudden pop interest? This has given us an excellent opportunity to try to put over the skills of the game, and the fact that a lot of the best players haven't seen the inside of a public school (for o/seas readers: that means expensive and private!) and are under 30. So I think the end result will be positive for the game in the UK.
And it is still going on - today I see croquet is featured on Channel 4 TV Teens Magazine: "Celebs. in croquet craze". Well, well . . .
If anyone knows of other celebrities (the trendier the better) who play please let me know.
Quiller Barrett
Phone and Fax 0181 998 5453