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Prescott honoured by croquet club | Prescott honoured by croquet club |
(about 8 hours later) | |
John Prescott has been awarded a mallet by the British Croquet Association for boosting interest in the game. | John Prescott has been awarded a mallet by the British Croquet Association for boosting interest in the game. |
The former deputy prime minister was ridiculed by the press when he was pictured playing croquet with staff at former country residence Dorneywood. | |
But he claims to have had the last laugh after being presented with a new mallet at a ceremony in Yorkshire. | But he claims to have had the last laugh after being presented with a new mallet at a ceremony in Yorkshire. |
"Apparently sales have gone up 40%," said Mr Prescott at the Edinburgh international book festival. | "Apparently sales have gone up 40%," said Mr Prescott at the Edinburgh international book festival. |
A spokeswoman for the British Croquet Association said interest in the game rocketed after pictures of Mr Prescott wielding a mallet were splashed across the newspapers two years ago. | A spokeswoman for the British Croquet Association said interest in the game rocketed after pictures of Mr Prescott wielding a mallet were splashed across the newspapers two years ago. |
"Croquet gained a lot of publicity thanks to Mr Prescott. There was a big increase in the number of inquiries to our online shop. Our membership also increased." | "Croquet gained a lot of publicity thanks to Mr Prescott. There was a big increase in the number of inquiries to our online shop. Our membership also increased." |
Mr Prescott's working class image may even have helped broaden the appeal of the game, which is traditionally associated with the upper classes. | Mr Prescott's working class image may even have helped broaden the appeal of the game, which is traditionally associated with the upper classes. |
"We are a pretty egalitarian bunch," the spokeswoman added. | "We are a pretty egalitarian bunch," the spokeswoman added. |
She said the Hull East MP had been presented with a mallet at croquet club in Beverley, Yorkshire, in a private ceremony. | She said the Hull East MP had been presented with a mallet at croquet club in Beverley, Yorkshire, in a private ceremony. |
At the same book event in Edinburgh, Mr Prescott also revealed he now owned two Jaguar cars, living up to his "two Jags" nickname, according to the London Evening Standard. | At the same book event in Edinburgh, Mr Prescott also revealed he now owned two Jaguar cars, living up to his "two Jags" nickname, according to the London Evening Standard. |
"My wife didn't like stooping down low to get into the XJS so we bought another Jaguar, a second-hand Sovereign, for £4,000," said Mr Prescott. | "My wife didn't like stooping down low to get into the XJS so we bought another Jaguar, a second-hand Sovereign, for £4,000," said Mr Prescott. |
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