Cheltenham Croquet Club is one of the leading venues for croquet. The History of the Cheltenham Croquet Club describes the club's transition from an uncertain birth, through a troubled adolescence to a respected and internationally recognised maturity, echoing the change in the game from a frivolous social pastime to a world-wide competitive sport. Like many minority sports, croquet has had to battle for publicity and sponsorship and the Cheltenham Croquet Club has had to work hard to provide first class facilities, fit for international competition, on a slender income. That the Club has always succeeded is down to the work and generosity of its members and this book details many such contributions. This peaceful picture of the clubhouse and grounds, conjuring up summer evenings and the gentle sounds of mallet hitting ball, disguises the intensity of competition that takes place on the courts, be it in international/national championships or in more modest club games. Whilst celebrating its 150th anniversary, the Club is intent on looking forward and, strengthened by the trials and tribulations of the past, is working hard to broaden the sports appeal and thereby the future of the game and the club in Cheltenham.