Pickleball has officially arrived in Culcheth, according to Warrington Worldwide, and yes, the name still sounds faintly ridiculous. But let us not be snobbish, because this fast-growing paddle sport has been winning people over for a reason.
For anyone not yet fluent in modern leisure trends, pickleball is a bit like tennis, badminton and table tennis had a very sociable child. It is usually easier to pick up than tennis, less punishing on the knees than some full-court sports, and has the kind of pace that lets you feel competitive without needing to train like you are heading for Wimbledon.
As a Culcheth resident, I am all for anything that gets people active, chatting and doing something other than circling the village for a parking space or tutting at temporary traffic lights. If pickleball brings more people together locally, brilliant. We could always use more community activity that does not revolve entirely around queues, roadworks or debating whether a pothole has developed its own postcode.
That said, let us not pretend every new sporting craze needs to be treated like the second coming. Pickleball has been marketed with the usual breathless enthusiasm that makes it sound as if civilisation was simply waiting for paddles and a plastic ball. Still, if it is fun, accessible and gets Culcheth moving, it deserves a fair go.
The best bit is that pickleball tends to suit a wide mix of ages and abilities, which makes it a sensible addition to village life. Not everyone wants a brutal gym session or a muddy Sunday league battle. Some people want exercise with a social side and a reduced chance of needing an ice pack by tea time.
So, pickleball in Culcheth? Slightly daft name, genuinely promising idea. If it catches on, expect the village to develop strong opinions about paddles, court etiquette and who is taking it far too seriously within approximately three weeks.