Is this a type of darts?

[maccalenny]

Hi - I love this snapshot of my great-grandad in his garden with friends and gramophone.  I think, from his age, that it is mid 1920s (unless anyone would like to correct me!). I just wondered about the diamond shaped object on the back of the bench behind them.  Some sort of garden game?
Many thanks
Kate

[scrimnet]

Looks more like wall Quoits to me...or "Rings as it is sometimes known...

http://www.mastersgames.com/cat/indoor/rings.htm

[groom]

I think it's a type of quoits game. I remember having something similar when I was young (not as long ago as 1920) You had small rubber rings that you had to throw over the hooks on the board. Each hook had a number on it.

Jan

[maccalenny]

I know the sort of thing you mean, now you mention it. Many thanks!

[Jane Masri]

What a lovely picture    Usually we see our ancestors in formal poses but this is a really relaxed scene.
Just a guess here but could it be the kind of game you might throw rubber rings or hoops at?  You often see them at fun fairs.  Looks like there's a loo roll balancing on the top  
I see other posters have beaten me to it  

Jane

[maccalenny]

I was also intrigued by the apparent loo roll holder... I know they had an outside loo till the 1960s, but not quite this 'outside'!

Kate

[Jane Masri]

Kate, just had another look at the photo.  The overhanging 'roof' to this garden bench seems to have two stout tree branches holding it up making it tricky to throw hoops at the diamond-shaped board, so maybe it's not a game 

Jane

[groom]

Pretty sure it's the same game I had - if you blow it up you can see the numbers and the hooks. Perhaps the "toilet roll holder" is the container for the rubber rings.

[maccalenny]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this. The bench was certainly sturdy - it, with roof held up by tree branches,  features as the backdrop for smapshots over at least a 15 year period!

Kate