Maggie Cowman was an amazing sportsperson having represented England at cricket and had received a double lung transplant at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. In spite of this, she was an accomplished croquet player representing both Ripon Spa Hotel Croquet Club in matches and England at the Women’s World Championships.
The hotel croquet club was disbanded during the pandemic and Maggie was a founder member of Ripon Spa Croquet Club, which replaced it. She passed away in 2022 and it was thought fitting to host an annual event in her honour and also to raise funds for the Freeman’s sports teams.
The fifth Maggie Cowman Festival of Croquet is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday 7th and 8th September 2026 at Studley Royal Cricket Club the home of Ripon Spa Croquet Club. A date for your croquet diary
To see what happened in 2024, 2023 or in 2022, please click the year you wish to see.
The fourth Maggie Cowman Festival of Croquet
The festival took place at the grounds of Ripon Spa Croquet Club on September 8th and 9th.
This year’s two day event started with the traditional progressive doubles with 20 competitors, making good use of the two extra courts created in the cricket club’s outfield . The competition was won by Roger I’Anson ( Ripon Spa) and Sheila Hornsey ( The Dales) in her first appearance. Sheila had played cricket with Maggie and had been introduced by her to the joys of croquet. Day one ended with a sausage sizzle.
Day two was of a more serious nature. A fiercely contested open singles competition , which included 3 of the country’s top women players, was eventually won by Jane Pringle ( Auckland), who had won the trophy in 2022. The silver medallist was Sarah Clements ( Chester) in her first appearance. Other medals were awarded to Jane Bailey, Michael Franklin and Robert Mumford for the Shield, the Plate, and the Saucer events.
A delicious afternoon tea of cakes and strawberries and cream, courtesy of Liz and Jane was available. Ted Flexman wound up the two days by thanking the competitors and all who had helped with the preparations, catering and scoring, without which the festival would not have been so successful. He announced that this year we had collected £585 for the Freeman’s sports team, bringing the contribution over the four years to £1920.
Pictures from day one
Pictures from day two
