Hilda Lucy Troughton, SV2b6c7d4

Baptism information found on familysearch.org; Natal; Estcourt St Barnabas; 1867-1976; image No 93. Hilda was baptised by her grandfather James Green, Dean of Pietermaritzburg, at St Barnabas Church in Estcourt where her father Arthur was the incumbent. Godparents were G C Bailey, D A Ireton-Stewart, L Marion Troughton and Hilda Willis. https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-23608-12666-61?cc=146...

National Archives, Kew: Service record of Troughton, Hilda Lucy; Rating: Senior Writer; Service number: G5335; Date of enrolment: 14 October 1918 - http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7435740

"Breaking through: a history of B.P.W. in South Africa" compiled by Hilda Troughton

Keen bird watcher and long-standing member of Cape Bird Watching Society

Trancript from "Fish Hoek Croquet Club - A Brief History" - http://www.croquet.org.za/club_fish_hoek_croquet.htm (Tante was certainly a demon croquet player!).

It began with a few enthusiasts playing on a rough piece of ground on what is now the parking area behind the BP station on Main Road, Fish Hoek A little later this bank of stalwarts, headed by Hilda Troughton moved to a court where stands the present Civic Centre. When building of the latter was planned the authorities offered to prepare an alternative site at the junction of 17th Avenue and Paris Road where the club now remains. At the time it was intended to be a temporary arrangement and that at a later date the club would move to the Recreation Centre off the Kommetjie Road. However, when the footballers took over part of the space allocated for croquet, it was decided to remain where we were.

Negotiations with Council regarding the actual siting, levelling, water connection, etc., carried on through the latter part of 1972 and throughout most of 1973. The courts were finally ready in 1974 and were in fine condition at that time. Much of what was accomplished was done by two people, namely Hilda Troughton on the organizing and negotiating side and Charles Gainsford who single-handedly built the clubhouse without having any electric power to help him.

The 17th June 2005 marked the 30th anniversary of the clubhouse roof-wetting. Charles also put up the wooden perimeter fence which lasted until a few months ago when it was replaced with the financial assistance from Western Province Croquet Association and member loans. Hilda was the club's first Secretary, while Nan Coetzee acted as President. It was 27 years after the clubhouse was built that the club managed to get electricity. Through the good offices of the WPCA this enabled an irrigation system to be installed and made improvements to the courts possible.

This, together with the active promotion of golf croquet, has resulted in moving from a dwindling membership to more than double in the past 6 years. Work continues on the courts and hopefully one day in the not too distant future we will be able to match the other WP clubs in this regard.