A historic croquet club has finally moved to its new home on the town's outskirts.

Ipswich Croquet Club, which was established more than 100 years ago, has found a site after being a mainstay at the Fynn Valley Golf Club for many years. 

Last Saturday (April 1), club members celebrated the unofficial opening of the new site on Bucklesham Road. 

The official opening is set to be hosted in September. 

Brian Hunt, the chairman of the ICC, said: "All members of the Ipswich Croquet Club are really delighted with the move to the new site, where we have four brand new croquet lawns.  

"Despite the miserable weather on our first day, over 20 very enthusiastic members turned up to try out the facilities and after the chair had taken the first hit, to enjoy playing doubles on a slow but true surface. 

"It was a great pleasure to see so many on the lawns, after what is almost two years since the planning began. 

"The club will have an official opening later in the year when those who have assisted in the move will be invited to enjoy the occasion. 

"Through very local advertising, three potential new members turned up.   

"The club will now more actively seek to increase membership and to raise money to build permanent toilets." 

The project was set to cost £60,000, which was a significant sum for a small organisation.

The club, which has members aged 18 to 94, had been looking for new grounds for nine months before members set their sights on land on the outskirts of Ipswich. 

East Suffolk Council gave consent for the plans back in January 2022 to create four croquet lawns on land to the north of Trinity Park on Bucklesham Road. 

The plans also include a maintenance shed, car parking, and a water tank.