Unity Croquet Club was originally formed as a Trust in May 2002. The founding Trustees were Paul Strover, Robert Walpole, and Betty Bone.
Funds were also contributed by Jennifer Strover, Paul’s wife, and Helen Knott.
The property, a single lawn and clubhouse, was bought from a developer, Rydon Group Ltd, who were developing housing in the area. The club property had been used by Unity Bowls Club, which had been established as part of the social offering of the Sudbury Gas Works.
The club operated with a couple of dozen members until 2022. It had been realised that continuing as a Trust would be difficult, as a Trust cannot own property. Property would have to be owned by Trustees, and as Trustees moved on or died, then there would be an ongoing problem of regularly re-conveying the land.
Two of the original Trustees had died, so changes to the legal form of the club were required.
The decision was taken, after receiving legal advice, to reform as a company limited by guarantee, Unity Croquet Club (Sudbury) Ltd.
Since then, the club has grown in strength, with some 60 active members.
The lawn did not have an irrigation system until a few years ago. Neither was there electricity on site, but there is now.
Members have rallied round to refurbish the clubhouse, although professional help was called in to replace the original asbestos roof. Photographs exist that show the clubhouse was in place in 1950, so it is assumed that the Bowls Club was in existence then.
The club is now well-established in Sudbury, providing a well-used and loved amenity.