A CLUB which was a lifeline to many people during the Covid 19 pandemic is under the risk of closure.

Maldon Croquet Club has been told it will not be able to continue its lease at Forrester Golf Club into its next season.

The croquet club, which has 70 members, plays between April and October.

Due to the retirement of the golf club's original owners, Tim and Annie Forrester Muir, it was sold to Colchester United FC owner Robbie Cowling in July.

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Now the croquet club's lease at Forrester Golf Club is not being renewed.

The croquet club, which began at Drapers Farm in Heybridge, is coming up to 12 years old and is now desperately searching for a new base to survive.

Neil Clark, 80, has been the president of the club for three years.

He said: “We’ve been here for eight years. We used to have a good relationship with the previous owner, Tim Forrester- Muir.

“We are very disappointed that our lease hasn’t been renewed.

“I imagine that any plans could be football-related.

“We are quite a substantial croquet club.

"It’s looked on as a niche sport. It came into prominence at Wimbledon, being the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

“We don’t wear special clothing, it's something that everybody of all ages can play.

“We have some older members who benefit from playing and using their brains.

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“We are looking very hard to find a new venue and we’re hoping to stay close to Great Totham.

“Coming at the end of the season it has put us in a desperate situation because if we can't find a venue then the club will have to cease operations.

“A number of the members are single people. Someone during the pandemic told me that it saved their life because it got them outdoors and out from within their four walls.

“The boost of membership came through the pandemic because it gave people the opportunity to meet new people and get outside.”

Forrester Park has been contacted for a comment.