It was a friendly occasion, in lovely weather. She won three out of four of her morning games, and so qualified for the “elite group,” in which she also won three of her four afternoon games.

The final on Sunday had 42 players and they travelled from far and wide: Yorkshire, Manchester, Bristol, Norfolk, etc. They really got cracking in the sun at Surbiton and the lawns were perfect. By 4.00 168 games had been played - that's an average of exactly eight per person. Some played nine and two played ten games!

 The overall winner was Cliff Hunter (Surbiton) with 8/9, beating Roger Tedstone (Reigate), on 7/9, in an exciting final.  The 'Best of the Rest' prize went to Robin Wootton (Southwick), who won all of his last five games. And Steve Stuart-Matthews won a bottle of bubbly for the best break, nine hoops.

 There were 44 heats, in which 588 players competed. For this year's charity, the Alzheimers Society, a whopping £5860 was raised, with an additional £1010 of Gift Aid, making a grand total of £6870. Every year the previous year's record is surpassed and that is all down to the enthusiasm within clubs for playing in their heats and contributing to a good cause.

 It is hoped that clubs will all run heats next Spring, too. The first job is to select a suitable charity and if anyone wishes to nominate one please let us know. It should have nationwide appeal and if you prepared to share with us the reason for your nomination, such as their helping in a time of a personal tragedy, then please include this.