A GROUP of adventurous sporting villagers is asking the question: 'Anyone for croquet?'

For members believe the game which was invented by the Victorians brings just the right mix of sporting skill and social fun to appeal to just about anyone.

Now members of the recently-formed Carleton Croquet Club are inviting budding exponents of mallet and hoop to join them and give the game a go.

Andy Wilson, one of the organisers, said the club had come about after a few villagers got together to discuss possible sporting ventures. An article in the village's Carleton Courier generated interest from 14 residents and the club was born.

Andy explained: "We were offered two croquet sets, one of which had been languishing in a garage for years, and we were off, with not much skill but lots of enthusiasm.

"The primary school kindly gave us permission to use their field on a Sunday, though it's not ideal for croquet. Some of us went along to Gargrave Croquet Club who explained the finer points of the 'association' rules and tactics to us.

"We know we have a lot to learn - and we need to find a permanent home for our courts - but we have enjoyed many happy and convivial hours together. It's a game that appeals to everyone, young or old or somewhere in between!"

Croquet was developed in England in the 1850s, though it is thought the game came from the older and similar French 'pall mall'. It was taken up by lawn tennis clubs - it is still the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon - and is thought to have become popular partly because it allowed young Victorian men and women to mingle without a chaperone!

Players - in doubles or singles, like tennis - have to hit the ball with a mallet through a 'run' of six hoops in specific order, and can use the balls of opponents to their advantage.

Says Andy: "Croquet is another of those games which looks simple but is actually very, very tactical and has been called 'snooker on grass'. The point for us though is that it's a huge amount of fun and very sociable!"

Anyone interested in going along to give the game a go can get further information from Andy Wilson at jaws.xliv@gmail.com