The club’s chairman Jon Diamond said: “We’re celebrating the continuing increase in the number of people playing croquet, as are many other clubs around the country.
“Of course we’ll be teaching people to play, but in addition there will be competitions with prizes, and light refreshments for everyone who takes part throughout the day, so why not give it a go?”
The free event runs from 11am to 4pm with a programme of challenges for novices. For more information visit tunbridgewellscroquet.org.uk
The club also runs one-day introduction courses this Saturday [May 4] and on June 1, July 20 and August 10. The courses cost £20 per person.
And this summer the Calverley Grounds venue will be hosting the Simon Carter Golf Croquet World Championship from July 27 to August 4.
Golf Croquet is the simpler form of the garden game where there are no bonus shots; each side plays alternate strokes and tries to be the first to score the next hoop.
Its more traditional cousin, Association Croquet, is based on break play like snooker, which means the striker can keep playing until he misses.
The sport is enjoying growing levels of interest and this year sees the inaugural University Championship being held at Sheffield University.
In Golf Croquet men and women compete on equal terms. With a handicap system beginners and skilled players can play each other in competitive matches.
The Royal Tunbridge Wells Croquet Club, which has more than 60 members, was founded in 1965 and moved to its current location with three lawns in Calverley Grounds in 1995.
The club provides a full range of free coaching options to members throughout the season by qualified coaches, from beginner level upwards.
It runs several internal tournaments and two Open events from June to August, as well as beginner competitions.
